The calculation of mass using the formula m = f/a is straightforward when both force and acceleration are non-zero. However, if the net force is 0N or acceleration is 0m/s², the equation becomes indeterminate, as 0/0 does not yield a valid result. In practice, mass is often measured in static situations by comparing it to known masses or through mass take-off techniques. For dynamic scenarios, accelerometers can detect acceleration, but accurately assessing the forces acting on a moving body presents significant challenges.
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The equation m = f/a works fine as a way to determine mass. However...Balsam said:Homework Statement
This is not a specific problem, I was just wondering how you would calculate the mass of an object. If given the net force and acceleration, how would you calculate it if the net force is 0N or the acceleration is 0m/s^2? Isn't the equation just m=f/a?
Most people measure mass in a static situation, by comparing it with either a known mass or by doing what is called a mass take-off, where the mass of a complex assembly is estimated by adding up the masses of individual components.Balsam said:Homework Statement
This is not a specific problem, I was just wondering how you would calculate the mass of an object. If given the net force and acceleration, how would you calculate it if the net force is 0N or the acceleration is 0m/s^2? Isn't the equation just m=f/a?
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