Defining mass resisting movement exerting energy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the definition of mass, particularly in relation to its resistance to movement and energy exertion. Participants explore the implications of mass in both stationary and moving objects, as well as its relationship to energy as described by the equation E=mc². The scope includes conceptual clarifications and technical explanations related to physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that mass can be defined by the degree of resistance to movement, suggesting that higher mass requires more energy to move.
  • Another participant agrees that measuring mass as inertia is accurate but clarifies that the increase in mass of a moving car is negligible and difficult to measure.
  • A participant questions the implications of E=mc², specifically whether energy relates to an object's potential to influence surrounding fields and its resistance to directional changes.
  • There is a request for definitions of energy and inertia to clarify the discussion further.
  • Another participant emphasizes that mass is fundamentally a measure of resistance to acceleration, referencing Newton's second law (F=ma).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and implications of mass, particularly in relation to moving objects and energy. There is no consensus on the definitions or the interpretations of the concepts discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined key terms such as energy and inertia, which may affect the clarity of the discussion. The relationship between mass, energy, and motion remains complex and is not fully resolved in the conversation.

Onon
I have read that mass can be measured by the degree of movement resistance to surrounding activity, so that an object high in mass will take more energy exertion to move than an object with a relatively lower mass measurement. Does anyone else have a different working definition for the word mass? Does the definition I have for mass not have any validity? If e=mc2 than does this mean that energy is measured by an objects potential to move surrounding fields of substance as well as an objects ability to resist a change in direction of movement once set in motion?

Does a car traveling at 60 mph have an easily measured higher degree of mass as a result of the fact that it takes much more energy exertion to alter the position of a car at this speed than a stationary one or is it so that only objects moving at great speeds have a noticeable degree of mass increase?
 
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Originally posted by Onon


Does a car traveling at 60 mph have an easily measured higher degree of mass as a result of the fact that it takes much more energy exertion to alter the position of a car at this speed than a stationary one or is it so that only objects moving at great speeds have a noticeable degree of mass increase?

Welcome to the Forums, Onon!

Your description of measuring mass as inertia is a fairly acurate one. However, the example of a car in motion is not exactly what physicists mean by this. The amount of force the brakes must exert to bring the vehicle to a stop from this speed is almost the same as the amount of force the drivetrain was required to apply in order to accelerate to that speed. And by "almost the same", I should point out that the difference between the two is mainly due to friction of the moving parts and wind resistance. The amount that the cars mass increases at 60 mph is very small, almost impossible to measure.
 
If e=mc2 than does this mean that energy is measured by an objects potential to move surrounding fields of substance as well as an objects ability to resist a change in direction of movement once set in motion?

My understanding of E=mc2 is...
mass x c2=Energy

But then, I don't quite understand your question; I'd like to put a prepostition here and there, but it'd be better if you explained it..[?]
 
How are you defining engery and inertia? What are your working definitions for these words?
 
Originally posted by Onon
I have read that mass can be measured by the degree of movement resistance to surrounding activity, so that an object high in mass will take more energy exertion to move than an object with a relatively lower mass measurement.

Of course, what do you think F = ma is?
Mass is a measure of its resistance to acceleration.

Creator
 

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