Weights

Weight is a measure of the force exerted on an object due to gravity. In physics, weight is defined as W = m g, where m is mass and g is the local acceleration due to gravity. The SI unit of weight is the newton (N). Mass is measured in kilograms (kg) and is invariant, while weight depends on the gravitational field and can vary with location and altitude. For example, an object would weigh less on the Moon than on Earth.

Weight is measured with force meters or calibrated scales that respond to the gravitational force. On Earth, common scales translate the weight into a readable force or mass, and g is included in the calibration.

In everyday life, "weights" often refer to pieces of equipment used for resistance exercise, such as dumbbells, barbells, and weight plates. These are usually marked in kilograms or pounds and are used to increase the load during workouts.

In statistics and data analysis, weights assign relative importance to observations in calculations such as weighted averages. In probability, weights can represent probabilities or frequencies.

In computing and machine learning, weights are parameters that scale inputs in mathematical models, especially in neural networks. They are adjusted during training to minimize error and determine the influence of each input feature.

Weights also appear in other contexts, including economics and physics, where they describe the distribution of influence, mass, or force in a system.