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We will study the force of gravity in more details at the end of the course.

For the moment we will use

F_G = mg

with g = 9.80\; m/s^2 although we will use g= 10\; m/s^2 in the exams to make it possible to do without calculator.

Do not confuse the force of gravity with weight. Weight refers to the force a scale reads when you are standing on it. Often it is the same as the force of gravity on you but not always.

Another more intricate but very important example is below. This is also in your textbook, Fig 6.10 and surrounding text.

Note that you feel heavier or lighter when an elevator starts or stops. This is your weight. If the cable was to suddenly break, you and the elevator would be in free fall and the scale would read zero. You would be weightless.

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