Mass refers to the quantity of matter in an object. The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg).
The mass of an object is a fundamental property of the object; a numerical measure of its inertia; a fundamental measure of the amount of matter in the object. Definitions of mass often seem circular because it is such a fundamental quantity that it is hard to define in terms of something else. All mechanical quantities can be defined in terms of mass, length, and time. The usual symbol for mass is m and its SI unit is the kilogram. While the mass is normally considered to be an unchanging property of an object, at speeds approaching the speed of light one must consider the increase in the relativistic mass.
Units of mass
Metric Conversion …show more content…
1 Understand the difference between weight and mass.
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Weight and mass are often confused, partially because both can be measured with scales. Weight is the effect of gravity on an object. If an object is relocated to an area with different gravity, for example another planet, the weight of that object will change. This change is due entirely because of the difference in the gravity and has nothing to do with the object.The amount of matter that makes up an object is its mass. If an object is relocated to an area with different gravity, such as a planet, the mass of the object will not change. Gravity has no effect on an object's mass.
2. 2 Measure gravitational mass.
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2 Finding mass with a triple-beam balance or a double-pan balance is a form of measuring gravitational mass. This is a static measurement, which means it is only accurate when the object being measured is at rest. A balance can measure weight and mass. Because the measurement of the balance weights change by the same factor as the object being measured, a balance is able to accurately provide the mass of an object regardless of the specific gravity of the environment. A balance is different from a scale because it uses a known mass to measure the unknown mass whereas a scale actually measures