What is the Calculation for Mass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter blackvise43
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mass
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating mass in a physics context, particularly related to a project involving a car. Participants explore various methods and concepts related to mass calculation, including density, volume, and measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different approaches to calculating mass, including using density and volume, measuring directly, and applying relevant physics equations. Questions arise about the specific information available to the original poster regarding the car project.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing various insights and suggestions. Some guidance has been offered regarding potential methods to calculate mass, but there is no explicit consensus on a single approach. The original poster expresses urgency due to an upcoming deadline.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is a 10th-grade student in an introductory physics class, tasked with calculating the mass of a car model. There is an emphasis on adhering to assignment guidelines, with some participants questioning the appropriateness of measuring mass directly.

blackvise43
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Is it length * width?? I need to know asap
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Length times width is area. What exactly are you trying to do?
 
It really depends on what other information you have available to you.
i.e.
-if you know an objects density and volume you can calculate its mass
-if you know an objects acceleration and force applied you can calculate its mass
etc etc.
What information do you have?
 
E = mc²
F=ma
[tex]F=\frac{d}{dt}(mv)[/tex]
F=mg
[tex]a=\frac{M}{m}g[/tex]

here are some equations in which mass is involved... maybe one you could use to solve for mass for your particular problem
 
I have the object I am in 10th grade and I'm in intro to physics and it told me to calculate the mass... umm its for a car we had to make and I am suppose to find certain calculations, I am new to this stuff... I need to know soon please its due tomorrow. :smile:
 
Last edited:
blackvise43 said:
I have the object I am in 10th grade and I'm in intro to physics and it told me to calculate the mass... umm its for a car we had to make and I am suppose to find certain calculations, I am new to this stuff... I need to know soon please its due tomorrow. :smile:


Get a scale that shows kilograms/grams. 'Weigh' your car. The reading will be the mass.
If your scale doesn't show kilograms/grams but pounds or ounces, then simply convert your value to metric. www.onlineconversion.com is a good source.
 
Ok thank you very much.
 
Well, if it told you to 'calculate' its mass, then 'measuring' it would be cheating.

If you know what you made the car out of, you can look up the densities of the materials it's made from.

If you know the dimensions of the car, you can calculate the volume of the components. (For a cuboid, volume is base * width * height.)

If I tell you that density = mass / volume, then you might be able to get cracking!
 
Mass is a measure of how much matter an object is made of. It is measured in kilograms. Mass is sometimes written in italics when it is the unit that is being written about. Examples: The mass of the Earth is 5.972 x 10^24 kilograms. The mass of the Sun is 2.0 x 10^30 kilograms. The mass of a helium atom is 4.3 x 10^-24 kilograms. The mass of a neutron is 1.67 x 10^-27 kilograms. The mass of an electron is 9.109 x 10^-31 kilograms. The mass of a proton is 1.67 x 10^-27 kilograms. The mass of a neutron is 1.67 x 10^-27 kilograms.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
977
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K