The weight of an object is due to

Weight is defined as the gravitational force with which a planet pulls an object [2]. According to Newton's Third Law, when the Earth exerts a gravitational pull on an object, the object exerts an equal and opposite force. In a static scenario where an object rests on a surface, its weight is manifested as the force it exerts on the ground. While mass is an intrinsic 'inert' property that remains constant, weight is a force that varies based on gravitational field strength [1]. Option 1 is incorrect because the net force on a stationary object is zero. Option 2 is incorrect as weight is a specific vector force (gravity), not a sum of all forces regardless of direction. Therefore, the weight of an object is effectively the force it exerts on the ground due to gravity.

Sources

1. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Exploring Forces > A step further > p. 75
2. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Exploring Forces > Activity 5.8: Let us observe > p. 72