# What's the difference between gravitational attraction and weight? [duplicate]

What exactly is gravitational attraction? In my textbook it was quoted " all objects both tiny and large objects are attracted to the earth. This is known as gravitational attraction, or the force due to gravity". But the force due to gravity is weight. I think that gravitational attraction is the action of attraction and is different from the force due to gravity (weight). Pls clarify.

All objects with mass, meaning all objects, generate a gravitational field. In doing so, they are attracted to other objects by a gravitational force between any two objects that can be calculated by the well known equation $$F = Gm_1m_2/r^2$$. This force of gravitational attraction exists when you are in free fall and when you are standing on the surface of the earth.
They actually are the same thing. However, you could also talk about "apparent weight", which is given by $$m(g+a)$$ where $$m$$ is your mass, $$g$$ is the local acceleration due to gravity, and $$a$$ is your acceleration. This is why you feel "weightless" when falling ($$a=-g$$) or feel heavier when you are in an elevator accelerating upwards ($$a>0$$).