Piece of cake. You just disintegrate it, measure the energy released and divide it twice by the speed of light. Just don't try this at home unless supervised by an adult.
OK, if an object of unknown weight (and mass) is taken to space, in zero-gravity environment, how could it's MASS be determined?
Let's see your creative answers ... all for fun.
I don't think there'd any be any "correct" answer, but let's see the possibilities.
Cheers!
Mass (as we know it) of any object will always vary depend on where/which planet/heavenly body it's located on. The larger the planet, the more mass a similar object exhibits.
Now, if you want to know this mystery objects mass as it relates to Earth... just take some basic measurements and know the objects composition.
When I was a teen learning physics, the whole idea of mass drove me insane. They said weight is the force exerted on an object by the earth's gravity, and that mass was "the amount of matter in an object". Then why the hell did they use a scale that relies on earth's gravity to measure both???
Back to the topic, the only answer I can give the OP is:
Density = mass / volume
So if you know the density and volume of an object, then you can calculate the mass.
Not mass... weight changes... mass is constant.
... Watch for the next launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour that has a priest, a choir boy and the congregation on board???
Yes, I'd already edited it... I assumed the OP was referring to the "Earthly" weight of an object.
In other words... if scientists discovered a 300' x 300' heavenly object... and determined its composition to be graphite :twisted: ... how much would it then weigh here on Earth.
I'm assuming the OP is referring to a unknown mass being taken to space and how it would be determined in a zero-environment of space. Don't think he';s referring to objects found form space and brought to earth for measurement.
OK, if an object of unknown weight (and mass) is taken to space, in zero-gravity environment, how could it's MASS be determined?
Let's see your creative answers ... all for fun.
I don't think there'd any be any "correct" answer, but let's see the possibilities.
Cheers!
That wouldn't make sense since mass isn't determined by gravity... weight is. He specifically mentions a zero-gravity environment... which tells me he's wondering how weight (on Earth) is determined.
Some people use mass and weight interchangeably when referring to Earthly-bound objects.
That's not how I took it. You can easily measure mass on earth, because there is gravity. You need gravity in some measure to work a balance or a scale. In a near-zero gravity environment, those tools would be difficult to use in the same way that we use them on earth.
My answer is:OK, if an object of unknown weight (and mass) is taken to space, in zero-gravity environment, how could it's MASS be determined? Let's see your creative answers ... all for fun. I don't think there'd any be any "correct" answer, but let's see the possibilities.
My answer is:
1. not creative
2. correct
Take an object of known mass and put it into orbit about the object. Measure its velocities and distances from the object. It will take little time if the object of unknown mass is spherical and uniform in density. It will take more time if the object is irregularly shaped and not uniform in density, but the answer is attainable.
Mass isn't dependent on gravity... weight is. On Earth, mass and weight are interchangeable. Off of Earth, they are not.
How do you think scientists come up with the mass of other planets like Jupiter? Do they bring them back to Earth and weigh them?
It appears we need the OP to further clarify what he was referring to.
Perhaps... the OP could have just stated... how do scientists determine the mass of other heavenly bodies.
Eh, the only reason you did is because that was what I was drinking.I beat you to the punch... see post #21 :twisted:
Put it next to an object of known mass and measure the gravitational attraction between the two objects.
We've already figured it out
This still requires gravity...
Okay, so you are ruling out ALL gravity in your zero-gravity environment, which is what you are LITERALLY saying, then ALL solutions involving gravity are out.OK, if an object of unknown weight (and mass) is taken to space, in zero-gravity environment, how could it's MASS be determined?
I think the OP is not clear, either.I think many of us in the thread weren't clear what the OP was seeking.
I think the OP is not clear, either.
OP seems clear to me and acknowledges there is no one correct (if any exist at all) answer. The OP is basically looking for the least gravity-reliant way to measure.
WOW .... lots of answers ... and questions ... thanks for joining the fun
OK, I'll make my question "more clear":
There's an object of unknown on weight (while on earth). An astronaut took it into space with him (riding in a space shuttle, I suppose). Now, while in the space shuttle, he wants to determine its MASS.
What are the possible methods he can use to determine its mass?
Assume: gravity in the shuttle and in space is zero.
Alright, let's take another go ...
Assuming you know what the item is or it's composition (you stated an item of unknown weight only)... simply take the physical measurements and research the density.
Density = M/V
M = D * V
Too easy.. have the astronaut push against the object. Measure the astronaut's acceleration, the object's acceleration, ask the astronaut how much he weighs, and solve for the object's mass from Newton's third law of motion. Next?
You should define mass, according to some definitions the answer to your question could be zero.Now, while in the space shuttle, he wants to determine its MASS.
Assume: gravity in the shuttle and in space is zero.[/B]
BTW, your questions are very sloppy. Good physics questions are economical with NO irrelevancies or ambiguities.