2007-03-08 00:36:02 · 7 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
In relativity, any mass that is not moving WITH RESPECT TO THE OBSERVER is at rest. So if both you, the observer, and some mass are moving away from the Earth at a million miles per hour, that mass is as rest as far as you are concerned. And the Earth is moving at a million miles per hour. But to the people on Earth it is Earth that is at rest and you and the other mass are moving. In relativity it is all relative!
2007-03-08 01:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rest mass is defined as the mass of an object in a frame in which it is at rest and in the absence of gravity - ie in a flat region of space.
There is no preferred frame in the universe so you can have no absolute sense of mass.
2007-03-08 09:00:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rest mass is a relative term. My desk is at rest with respect to me, even though both of us are moving in at least 8 different direction because of the movement of the earth, sun ,ect.
2007-03-08 08:47:44 · answer #3 · answered by Walking Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I woud say yes, on a macroscopic scale. We can have 1 gram of material (or a little less) at "rest". As for gravity beign everywere, that would only affect weight, not mass.
Once we have a rest mass, we can extrapolate down to smaller divisions.
2007-03-08 08:44:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you take a Physics Course and you'll learn all about rest mass, inertial reference frames, and Special Relativity?
Doug
2007-03-08 09:01:31 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure and as long as I'm not moving with respect to any object with mass when I measure it, I'll a get a correct reading of it.
2007-03-08 08:42:17 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, gravitational force however negligible is still at work since other masses exist in the universe.
2007-03-08 08:42:28 · answer #7 · answered by Huey from Ohio 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋