Mass: Difference between revisions
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<onlyinclude>'''Mass''' is a measure of how much matter is contained within an object. It's [[SI]] unit is the '''[[kilogram]]'''. </onlyinclude> | <onlyinclude>'''Mass''' is a measure of how much [[matter]] is contained within an object. It's [[SI]] unit is the '''[[kilogram]]'''. </onlyinclude> | ||
The mass of an object can be found by pushing on it with a known [[force]] <m> F</m> and dividing the size of that force by the resulting [[acceleration]] (<m>a</m>).<ref> Sears, Zemansky, and Young, ''Fifth Edition University Physics''. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1979. </ref> | The mass of an object can be found by pushing on it with a known [[force]] <m> F</m> and dividing the size of that force by the resulting [[acceleration]] (<m>a</m>).<ref> Sears, Zemansky, and Young, ''Fifth Edition University Physics''. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1979. </ref> | ||
Revision as of 21:01, 3 September 2015
Mass is a measure of how much matter is contained within an object. It's SI unit is the kilogram.
The mass of an object can be found by pushing on it with a known force <m> F</m> and dividing the size of that force by the resulting acceleration (<m>a</m>).[1]
<m> m = \frac {F}{a} </m>
Mass is different from weight (force) in that its value does not change if gravity changes. For example, on Earth, where the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2, a person who has 60 kg of mass weighs 588 Newtons (132 lbs). On the moon, where the acceleration due to gravity is about 1/6 of what it is on Earth, that same 60 kg person weighs just 98 Newtons (~22 lbs).
To read more about the SI unit of mass, the kilogram, click here.
References
- ↑ Sears, Zemansky, and Young, Fifth Edition University Physics. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1979.