What Does Matter Mean in Relation to Mass?

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Mass is often defined as the quantity of matter, but this definition can be misleading since objects with the same number of particles can have different masses. The discussion highlights that mass is related to inertia, which is a property that resists changes in momentum. Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity, making mass a conserved quantity in physics. Additionally, while objects may contain the same number of atoms, the atomic structure and composition can lead to variations in mass. Understanding mass requires a deeper exploration beyond just counting particles.
Alan Tam
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Many Physics books state that mass is the quantity of matter. What does the "matter" refer to? Objects contain the same number of particles could still have different masses. Could anyone help me? Thanks.
 
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Alan Tam said:
Many Physics books state that mass is the quantity of matter. What does the "matter" refer to? Objects contain the same number of particles could still have different masses. Could anyone help me? Thanks.
Its a poor physics textbook which defines mass in that way.

Inertia is that property of a body which resists a change in momentum. Momentum is defined as the quantity mv where m is defined such that mv is a conserved quantity. m is called the "mass" of the body.

Pete
 
Alan Tam said:
Objects contain the same number of particles could still have different masses.
Same number of atoms, maybe, but atoms are made of smaller particles.
 

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