Final answer:
When on a plane flying high in the air, you weigh slightly less due to reduced gravitational force. The gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between you and the Earth's center. This reduction in weight is small and other factors like air pressure and buoyancy may also contribute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you are on a plane that is flying high in the air, you weigh slightly less due to the effect of reduced gravitational force. This is because the gravitational force acting on an object is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the object and the center of the Earth. As the plane reaches higher altitudes, the distance between you and the Earth's center increases, resulting in a decrease in the gravitational force you experience.
For example, at sea level, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2. However, as you ascend to higher altitudes, the acceleration due to gravity decreases slightly. This means that when you step onto a scale on a plane, the reading will be slightly less than what you would see on the ground.
It is important to note that this reduction in weight is extremely small and may not be noticeable to most people. Additionally, other factors such as air pressure and buoyancy may also contribute to the overall weight discrepancy experienced on a plane.
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