All Textbook Topics - Forces introduction - Types of forces - Weight is the force that acts downwards from the centre of gravity of masses.

Weight is the force that acts downwards from the centre of gravity of masses.

Weight always acts straight down from the centre of gravity of an object.

It must be lined up directly underneath the centre of gravity of an object, not off to one side

It must act under the centre of gravity, even if that means the arrow is on a part of the object that does not touch the ground underneath it. See this example:

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Applied force is the general term for when one object pushes or pulls on another object
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The normal reaction force occurs as an equal and opposite reaction force to an applied force on a stable object

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