Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms. It is a scalar quantity and is not affected by gravity or location.
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Mass determines how much an object will resist acceleration when a force is applied (inertia).
Mass plays a crucial role in Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, where the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to their masses.
In orbital mechanics, mass influences the gravitational pull an object can exert on another object.
Unlike weight, mass does not change based on the object's location in space (e.g., on Earth vs. the Moon).
The standard unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) is the kilogram (kg).
Review Questions
How does mass affect an object's resistance to acceleration?
Explain how mass influences gravitational force between two objects.
Why does an object's mass remain constant regardless of its location?
Related terms
Weight: The force exerted by gravity on an object's mass, usually measured in newtons (N).