Final answer:
To calculate your mass, divide your weight in newtons by the acceleration due to gravity on Earth, which is 9.8 m/s². Use the formula m = w/g to obtain the mass in kilograms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate your mass using the formula w = mg, you need to know your weight (w) and the acceleration due to gravity (g). On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity (g) is 9.8 m/s². Once you have your weight in newtons (N), you can rearrange the formula to solve for mass (m) by dividing your weight by the acceleration due to gravity: m = w/g.
For example, if your weight (w) is 980 N, your mass (m) would be calculated as follows:
m = w/g = 980 N / 9.8 m/s² = 100 kg.
It's important to note that the value of g can be considered positive or negative based on the coordinate system, but for calculating mass, we use the magnitude of g.