Final answer:
The weight of an object with a mass of 4.5 kg on Earth is calculated using the formula w = mg, with g being approximately 9.80 m/s². Substituting the values gives us a weight of 44.1 N.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weight of an object on Earth can be calculated using the formula w = mg, where w represents the weight in newtons (N), m is the mass in kilograms (kg), and g is the acceleration due to gravity in meters per second squared (m/s²). On Earth, g is approximately 9.80 m/s². Thus, for an object with a mass of 4.5 kg, the weight would be calculated as:
weight (w) = mass (m) × gravity (g)
Substitution: w = (4.5 kg) × (9.80 m/s²)
Answer: w = 44.1 N
It is important to understand the distinction between mass and weight. Mass is the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location, while weight is the gravitational force acting on that mass and can change with the strength of gravitational force.