How do you calculate the weight of a 2400kg elephant in newtons?

To calculate the weight of an object, you use the equation that relates mass and gravitational acceleration. The correct formula is expressed as ( w = mg ), where ( w ) represents weight in newtons, ( m ) is the mass in kilograms, and ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately ( 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 ) on the surface of the Earth.

By using this formula, you can find the weight of the elephant by substituting the mass (2400 kg) into the equation along with the constant gravitational acceleration. The calculation would look like this:

( w = 2400 , \text{kg} \times 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 ).

This approach correctly provides the weight in newtons, which is the standard unit of weight.

The other options incorrectly suggest different relationships that do not align with the fundamental principles of physics concerning weight. For instance, using ( w = mg^2 ) or ( w = m/g ) would lead to incorrect units and values, while ( w = g/m ) does not apply correctly when determining weight based on mass and