Defining mass resisting movement exerting energy

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Onon
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Mass Movement
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the definition of mass and its relationship to energy and movement resistance. Participants agree that mass can be understood as inertia, which quantifies an object's resistance to changes in motion. The example of a car traveling at 60 mph illustrates that while the energy required to change its position is significant, the increase in mass at that speed is negligible and difficult to measure. The equation E=mc² is referenced to highlight the connection between mass and energy, emphasizing that mass is fundamentally linked to an object's ability to resist acceleration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
  • Familiarity with the concept of inertia
  • Basic knowledge of the equation E=mc²
  • Awareness of the effects of speed on mass perception
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of E=mc² in modern physics
  • Explore the concept of inertia in classical mechanics
  • Study the effects of speed on mass and energy in relativistic physics
  • Investigate practical applications of mass measurement in automotive engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of mass, energy, and motion dynamics.

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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
767
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
833
  • · Replies 128 ·
5
Replies
128
Views
11K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K