Exploring the Effects of Mass: A Beginner's Guide

In summary: The gravitational pull of the moon is not strong enough to cause a noticeable deviation in the laser beams.
  • #1
fresh_42
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Not that this article here can compete with mathematical descriptions or "real" physics but it is well written and fast to read and may provide some answers to the repeating questions about the different consequences of mass.
 
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  • #2
fresh_42 said:
Not that this article here can compete with mathematical descriptions or "real" physics but it is well written and fast to read and may provide some answers to the repeating questions about the different consequences of mass.
I have read only till it says:
"If Earth had no mass, it wouldn’t feel the curvature of the well and would fly away in a straight line. That’s general relativity in a funnel shaped nut-shell."
This is incorrect: Galilei showed that gravitational acceleration doesn't depend on mass, so even a massless object's trajectory is curved in a gravitational field. The general relativity result is similar, in fact light trajectory is curved in this theory too, just twice as what results from Newtonian mechanics.

--
lightarrow
 
  • #3
lightarrow said:
I have read only till it says:
"If Earth had no mass, it wouldn’t feel the curvature of the well and would fly away in a straight line. That’s general relativity in a funnel shaped nut-shell."
This is incorrect: Galilei showed that gravitational acceleration doesn't depend on mass, so even a massless object's trajectory is curved in a gravitational field. The general relativity result is similar, in fact light trajectory is curved in this theory too, just twice as what results from Newtonian mechanics.

--
lightarrow
Sounds correct. But then why aren't the laser beams bent we send to the moon to measure it's distance?
 
  • #4
fresh_42 said:
Sounds correct. But then why aren't the laser beams bent we send to the moon to measure it's distance?
They are bent, but by a very tiny amount.
 

FAQ: Exploring the Effects of Mass: A Beginner's Guide

What is mass and why is it important in science?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. It is important in science because it affects how objects interact with each other through gravity, inertia, and other forces.

How is mass different from weight?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while weight is a measure of the force of gravity on that object. Mass remains the same regardless of location, while weight can change depending on the strength of gravity.

How does mass affect an object's motion?

Mass affects an object's motion through its inertia, which is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion. Objects with more mass have more inertia and require more force to change their motion.

What are the units of measurement for mass?

The standard unit of measurement for mass in the International System of Units (SI) is the kilogram (kg). Other common units include grams (g) and metric tons (t).

How can we measure mass in an experiment?

Mass can be measured using a scale or balance. The object's mass is determined by comparing it to a known mass or by using the principle of balancing weights on opposite sides of a scale. Digital scales are commonly used for precise measurements.

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