In physics, what does the term "weight" refer to?

The term "weight" specifically refers to the gravitational force acting on an object. This force is the result of gravity pulling the object towards the center of a celestial body, such as Earth. Weight varies depending on the gravitational field strength and can be calculated using the equation: weight = mass × gravitational acceleration.

In contrast, the quantity of matter in an object, known as mass, is a different concept that does not change regardless of location (for instance, mass remains constant whether you are on Earth or on the Moon). The volume of an object is the amount of space it occupies and is independent of the object's mass or weight. Similarly, density is defined as mass per unit volume, further emphasizing that weight is specifically associated with the force of gravity rather than these other attributes.