Obtaining F = ma: The Evolution of Mass and Acceleration Measurements

[Fernando Rios]

How was F = ma obtained? What is mass? If you say mass is amount of matter, then what is matter? How did they measure accelerations at that time?

 

[HallsofIvy]

Your first question requires the second. Typically, mass is defined as "resistance to a change in motion": the more force require for acceleration then greater the mass: m= f/a from which f= ma immediately follows.

 

[Fernando Rios]

Your first question requires the second. Typically, mass is defined as "resistance to a change in motion": the more force require for acceleration then greater the mass: m= f/a from which f= ma immediately follows.

Thank you for your reply. So, in the experiment what was measured and how was it measured?

 

[russ_watters]

How was F = ma obtained?

You asked exactly the same question 3 weeks ago. Have you not found the answers satisfactory? Please don't re-tread old ground. If you have any follow-ups to make, make them in your other thread and show with your new questions that you've made an effort to absorb what you've already been told/shown. Thread locked.