Can Velocity Alone Determine an Object's Mass?

In summary, it is not possible to determine the mass of an object solely based on its velocity. The mass of an object does not affect its trajectory or orbit, as all objects are affected by gravity to the same extent. However, it is possible to estimate the mass of a larger object, such as the Earth, by observing the orbits of objects around it or objects falling towards it. This can be explained by Kepler's Third Law and is also related to Newton's Laws of motion.
  • #1
John Clement Husain
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Is it possible to find the mass without force/density/momentum but with velocity only?
 
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  • #2
John Clement Husain said:
Is it possible to find the mass without force/density/momentum but with velocity only?

You mean, for example, if something is moving at ##1m/s## then it must have a mass of ##7.4kg##?
 
  • #3
something like this:
An object, with a distance of 1300 km, in space is moving in 100 km in 10 s towards Earth, find it's mass.
 
  • #4
John Clement Husain said:
something like this:
An object, with a distance of 1300 km, in space is moving in 100 km in 10 s towards Earth, find it's mass.

Why would that determine its mass? Why couldn't a small object (a rock) and a large object (an asteroid) be moving at the same speed?

In particular, all objects are affected by gravity to the same extent. Their trajectories or orbits do not depend on their mass.

You could, however, estimate the mass of the Earth from looking at the orbits of things moving around it or things falling towards it.
 
  • #5
nope
 
  • #6
PeroK said:
Why would that determine its mass? Why couldn't a small object (a rock) and a large object (an asteroid) be moving at the same speed?

In particular, all objects are affected by gravity to the same extent. Their trajectories or orbits do not depend on their mass.

You could, however, estimate the mass of the Earth from looking at the orbits of things moving around it or things falling towards it.
you mean Kepler's Third law?
 
  • #7
John Clement Husain said:
you mean Kepler's Third law?

More fundamentally the acceleration of gravity is independent of the accelerated mass.
 
  • #8
John Clement Husain said:
something like this:
An object, with a distance of 1300 km, in space is moving in 100 km in 10 s towards Earth, find it's mass.
How would that tie in with Newton's Laws of motion?
 

FAQ: Can Velocity Alone Determine an Object's Mass?

What is "mass given velocity only"?

"Mass given velocity only" is a term used to describe a situation in which the mass of an object is known, but its velocity is the only other known variable. In other words, the object's mass and velocity are the only pieces of information available, and other factors such as acceleration, force, or position are unknown.

How is mass given velocity only calculated?

To calculate mass given velocity only, you can use the formula: mass = kinetic energy / (velocity)^2. This formula is derived from the equation for kinetic energy, which is KE = 1/2 * mass * (velocity)^2. By rearranging the equation, you can solve for mass when velocity is the only known variable.

Can mass given velocity only be used to determine an object's motion?

No, mass given velocity only is not enough information to determine an object's motion. Other factors such as acceleration, force, and position also play a role in determining an object's motion. Mass given velocity only can only be used to calculate an object's mass, but not its overall motion.

Does mass given velocity only have any real-world applications?

Yes, mass given velocity only has real-world applications in physics and engineering. It can be used to calculate the mass of objects in motion, such as projectiles or vehicles, or to analyze collisions and other types of motion. However, in most cases, additional information is needed to fully understand an object's motion.

What are some limitations of using mass given velocity only?

One major limitation of using mass given velocity only is that it does not take into account other factors that may affect an object's motion. This can lead to inaccurate or incomplete conclusions. Additionally, mass given velocity only is only applicable in certain situations and cannot be used to fully understand all types of motion.

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