Scientists and engineers use a number of instruments to measure mass. These include lab balances and scales. The unit of measurement for mass is the kilogram, kg.
While many people often confuse the terms mass and weight, the two are different. Mass is determined by the atomic makeup of objects, while weight depends on gravity.
Measurement of mass
In physics, mass is the quantitative measure of inertia, the tendency of matter to resist any change in its state of motion. It is determined by the amount of matter contained in a body. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg).
There are a number of ways to measure an object’s mass, including using a balance. A balance is used to determine the amount of matter in an object by comparing it to other objects with known masses. However, this method of measurement is only accurate when the objects are placed in a zero-gravity environment.
The primary standard for measuring mass is a solid platinum-iridium prototype kept at NIST. It replaced the earlier standard of a cubic decimeter of water. A copy of this prototype is kept in each country that subscribes to the International Metric Convention. Mass is often confused with weight, which is a different measurement based on gravity. Weight is the force exerted on an object by gravity, while mass is the amount of matter it contains.
Measurement of weight
The words “weight” and “mass” are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they refer to different physical properties. Mass is a measure of matter and depends only on the type and number of atoms in an object, while weight is a measurement of gravitational force and depends on where an object is located. The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg), defined as 1000 grams. A physical prototype kilogram is kept in standard laboratories, and weights that are used to measure mass are copies of this prototype.
While mass and weight are related, they are not the same thing. If you were to move from Earth to the moon, your weight would change, but your mass would remain the same. The same is true of other planets. This is why a balance scale is preferred for measuring mass, as it is not affected by changes in gravitational force. The more accurate instruments use strain gauge load cells or frequency shift technology, to achieve even greater accuracy.
Measurement of force
The ability of a force measurement system to consistently measure the same load under changed conditions. It is measured by comparing results obtained with the same calibration force. The closer the results are, the better the repeatability of a force measurement system.
Mass is a measure of the total amount of matter (atoms) in an object. It does not change with a body’s position or movement, but can be affected by the gravitational pull of other objects. It is commonly measured in kilograms, abbreviated kg.
The SI unit of force is the newton, defined as the amount of force needed to accelerate a kilogram of mass at a rate of 1 meter per second squared. A newton is also approximately equal to the amount of force it would take to hold a small apple in your hand. The international prototype kilogram, referred to as the IPK, is kept in the BIPM and used for international comparisons of national mass measurements.
Measurement of acceleration
Acceleration is a measure of change in velocity over time. The SI unit for acceleration is the meter per second squared (ms 2 or m/s2). Acceleration can be measured by using displacement sensors. These sensors measure the distance between an object and a reference point. These sensors can be used in a variety of applications, including structural health monitoring, seismic engineering, and system identification.
It is important to distinguish between mass and weight. While mass is an inertial property that does not depend on location, weight depends on gravity’s effect on the object. For example, if you move to another planet, your weight will change, but your mass will remain the same.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a new device for measuring acceleration. The sensor uses laser light to produce a signal and is smaller, more precise, and operates at higher frequencies than similar devices. It also offers more stability over a wide range of temperatures.