How could you determine the mass of an object on a space shuttle, where there is no gravity?

Question

Please explain. Your help is greatly appreciated.

the quicker you answer, the more likely it is that I will give you ten points

what if you didn't know the mass of it on earth, and you didn't know the density?
No ordinary balances work because there is no gravity.

thanks dallas. I cant give you best answer now, but hopefully I will remember to when its time.

Answer 1

F=MA, even in free fall, so apply a known force, measure acceleration, and derive mass.

Answer 2

Spin it around at an angular velocity w = v/R; where R is the length of the radius of spin around an axis and v is the tangential velocity created when spinning the mass m around. You can count the number of rotations (N) made in a measured time T; so that w = 2pi N/T. Then v = wR can be calculated.

Then F = mv^2/R = m(wR)^2/R = mw^2R where F is the tension on the string/cord you've attached the mass m with to do the spinning. By putting a spring based scale (like a fish weighing scale) to the string, you can read off the force F. Therefore, you have F = mw^2R, so that m = F/(w^2 R) and there you have it. Mass m can be calculated from the measured F, w and R.

Answer 3

Tether the object to a liter bottle of water by a long string and spin the assembly. The distance from the center of rotation to the center of the bag divided by the distance from the center of rotation to the center of the object is its mass in kilograms.

Answer 4

Perhaps the easiest way:

Put the object with mass (m) on the end of a spring with spring constant (k), then set it in motion. The period (P) of motion (the time it takes for one complete oscillation) is given by:

P = 2*π*√(m/k)

We can solve for the mass m:

m = k*(P/(2*π))^2

As long as there is a calculator on board, you have your answer.

Answer 5

put it in a chamber and spin it and meashur the vibrations everything has mass and when put in motion

or have a throwing device that can be controlled and have a preset and then the differance of the object being wighed

or simply put it in water