Spring, Damper, Mass: What does a Mass Do?

[chandran]

My observations

1)a spring gives a force proportional to the relative displacement of its ends

2)a damper gives a force proportional to the relative velocity of its ends

What does a mass do

I read in a theory that a mass gives a force proportional to its acceleration
and this force is called inertial force.

But my understanding is that when a force is applied by some agent to a mass it will accelerate. How is that a mass itself applies a force?

 

[Doc Al]

What does a mass do

Think of mass as providing a resistance to changes in motion.

I read in a theory that a mass gives a force proportional to its acceleration
and this force is called inertial force.

Inertial forces only appear as an artifact of viewing things from a noninertial (accelerated) reference frame. (Which is often very useful.)

But my understanding is that when a force is applied by some agent to a mass it will accelerate. How is that a mass itself applies a force?

As long are you are viewing things from an inertial frame, the only forces are those provided by some agent. (Inertial forces have no agent.)