Weight is a fundamental concept in physics that refers to the force exerted on an object due to gravity. Here is a detailed explanation of the given statement:
Weight:
Weight is the force experienced by an object due to the gravitational pull of the Earth or any other celestial body. It is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. The direction of the weight vector is always towards the center of the celestial body.
Explanation of the given options:
-
A: Is a vector quantity:
- Weight is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. The magnitude of weight is equal to the product of the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity. The direction of weight is always towards the center of the celestial body.
-
B: Of a body in interplanetary space is maximum:
- Weight is directly proportional to the mass of the object. In interplanetary space, where the gravitational field is weak or negligible, the weight of a body would be much less compared to its weight on Earth. Therefore, the weight of a body in interplanetary space is not maximum.
-
C: Increases when the bodies go up:
- As bodies go up in the Earth's atmosphere, they move farther away from the center of the Earth. The distance between the body and the center of the Earth increases, which leads to a decrease in the acceleration due to gravity. Consequently, the weight of the body decreases as it goes up, rather than increasing.
-
D: None of these:
- The correct answer is not "D: None of these" because option A, which states that weight is a vector quantity, is correct.