Reference: The Book of Physics
Mass is the key property of matter, that is directly linked to its weight. Mass reflects the consistency of matter.
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Definition of MASS
The substantialness of matter is called mass. The mass of matter allows it to be divided into very small particles. A material object, regardless of its size, can be treated mathematically as if all its mass is concentrated at a point. We call this point the “center-of-mass.”
The “center-of-mass” allows a material object to be treated as a point particle in most mathematical visualizations. This property is peculiar to matter, and it does not exist for other forms of substance, such as, energy and thought.
In case of matter, mass represents its consistency. According to The Motion, the intrinsic motion of substance is related to its consistency. Therefore, an object has a natural motion in free space that depends on its mass. Even the slightest change in the mass changes this motion. Therefore, we observe relative motion among objects, such as the planets, due to differences in their mass.
The rest mass of an object is measured, when it is moving naturally in free space, or when it is at rest relative to the observer.
The term ‘relativistic mass’ was invented to convey the idea that it is harder to push a moving object, as you have to be moving faster than the object to push it. It is a misconception that a particle’s mass gets bigger as it speeds up.
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Notes
The mass of an object is the total of the masses of its molecules. The mass of a molecule is the total of the masses of its atoms. The mass of an atom is the total of the masses of neutrons, protons and electrons that constitute it. Therefore, when we talk about the total mass of an object, it is the sum of the mass of all the particles that constitute that object. The mass of individual particles differ as follows:
Mass of neutron = 1.675 × 10−27 kg
Mass of proton = 1.673 × 10−27 kg
Mass of electron = 9.109×10−31 kg
Very small differences in the mass of an object are capable of producing significant relative motion in free space. This property of mass may provide some clue to the nature of gravity.
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Key Misconception
The key misconception in Newtonian mechanics is that an object is not seen as having a natural motion in free space as a function of its mass.
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More Misconceptions
You may discover more misconceptions on your own, if you contemplate on each sentence of the above definition with mindfulness. Please see:
Or, you may end up improving upon this definition.
Good luck!
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