Mass Physics Example 4

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Example 4

easy
A toolbox weighs 72 N72 \text{ N} on a planet where g=12 m/s2g = 12 \text{ m/s}^2. What is its mass?

Solution

  1. 1
    Use the relationship between weight and mass: W=mgW = mg
  2. 2
    Solve for mass: m=Wg=7212=6 kgm = \frac{W}{g} = \frac{72}{12} = 6 \text{ kg}

Answer

m=6 kgm = 6 \text{ kg}
Mass is the amount of matter in an object and does not depend on location. Weight changes with gravity, so dividing by local gg recovers the mass.

About Mass

The amount of matter in an object and a fundamental measure of how much it resists changes to its state of motion (inertia).

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More Mass Examples

Example 1 easy

An object has a weight of [formula] on Earth where [formula]. What is the mass of the object?

Example 2 medium

An astronaut has a mass of [formula]. What would their weight be on the Moon where [formula]? Compar

Example 3 easy

A net force of [formula] accelerates an object at [formula]. What is the mass of the object?

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Related Concepts

ForceWeightInertia