Gravity & Inertia: Proportional to Mass?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between gravitational force and mass, questioning how gravitational force can be proportional to mass when inertia opposes changes in state. A participant highlights a logical inconsistency in the original query, comparing it to measuring debt in currency. The conversation emphasizes that the principles of force, as expressed in Newton's second law (F=ma), apply universally to various types of forces, not just gravitational force.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion, particularly F=ma
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational force and its relation to mass
  • Concept of inertia and its role in physics
  • Familiarity with the principles of force and motion
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  • Research the implications of Newton's second law in different contexts
  • Explore the concept of inertia in classical mechanics
  • Study gravitational force and its mathematical representation
  • Investigate other types of forces and their relationships with mass
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Students of physics, educators explaining fundamental concepts, and anyone interested in the principles of force and motion in classical mechanics.

deechan
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If force is something that changes the state of a body and inertia is opposition to change of state how can gravitational force be proportional to mass?
 
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deechan said:
If force is something that changes the state of a body and inertia is opposition to change of state how can gravitational force be proportional to mass?

Why can't it?

There's a fault in your logic here. It's as if you're asking "If having money is considered as wealth, then when I go in debt, why do they measure my debt in {insert currency here}?"

Furthermore, why restrict this to just gravitational force? Are you saying that you understand why F=ma is OK for other types of forces?

Zz.
 
Oh!I didn't think of other forces at all.I think I get it now.Thank you.
 

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