Mass

The mass of an object is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Mass is reported in either kilograms (SI units) or slugs (English units). Every object has a mass. This mass remains constant unless additional masses (other objects) are added to it. For example, a skater's mass increases when he or she puts on his or her skating boots. Once the skater is on the ice performing, his or her mass is constant. The mass of an object is also a measure of the amount of inertia the object possesses. For example, the more massive a skater the more inertia he or she has. In practical terms this means that it takes more force for a larger, more massive skater to get moving than for a smaller, less massive skater.

© April, 1998, Montana State University-Bozeman