The force of gravity on an object varies directly with its mass. The constant of variation due to gravity is 32.2 feet per second squared. Which equation represents \( F \), the force on an object due to gravity according to \( m \), the object's mass? \( F=16.1 \mathrm{~m} \) \( F=\frac{16.1}{m^{2}} \) \( F=32.2 \mathrm{~m} \) \( F=\frac{32.2}{m^{2}} \)

The force of gravity acting on an object can be expressed simply as \( F = mg \), where \( g \) is the constant that represents the acceleration due to gravity. With \( g = 32.2 \, \text{ft/s}^2 \), the equation becomes \( F = 32.2 \, m \). This means that for every unit of mass, the force increases proportionately based on the gravitational constant. Gravity’s influence is a fundamental part of physics that affects everything from the way we walk to the orbits of planets! When launching a rocket, engineers must calculate the gravitational force to ensure a successful liftoff. Understanding the relationship between mass and gravity allows scientists and engineers to create missions to explore beyond Earth, making gravity not just a force we live with, but also a challenge to overcome in the quest for space exploration.