English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

How could you determine the mass of an object if you were in a space shuttle?

You do not know the density, or the mass of the object on earth.
Please help me. The sooner you answer, the more likely I will choose your answer as the best answer.

2007-10-03 14:50:02 · 3 answers · asked by koolkid23 2 in Science & Mathematics Physics

3 answers

Force = Mass x Acceleration

So you apply a certain force and measure the acceleration. Then you have the other two numbers and can figure out mass.

2007-10-03 14:53:41 · answer #1 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 0 1

With the help of a spring balance find the breaking tension of a string. Tie this mass on an identical string and whirl. At the time of breaking note down the lenear velocity of the revolving ball and the length of the string.
The breaking tension (T) = centrifugal force = m v² /r
T = (m x v²) / r , where m is the mass, v,the lenear velocity, r, the radius(length of the string).
m = (T x r) / v²
===========

2007-10-04 00:46:36 · answer #2 · answered by Joymash 6 · 0 0

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 and a timer of sorts on board, you have your answer.

2007-10-03 21:53:38 · answer #3 · answered by 1,1,2,3,3,4, 5,5,6,6,6, 8,8,8,10 6 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers