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Foundations of Physics

Mass

A fundamental intrinsic property of matter that quantifies both the amount of substance in an object and its inertia (resistance to acceleration).

Governing formula m = F / a
SI unit kg

In depth

Mass is a scalar quantity that remains constant regardless of location (unlike weight). Mass-energy equivalence states that mass and energy are interconvertible (E = mc²).

Examples in the real world

A 1 kg mass on Earth weighs approximately 9.8 N, but on the Moon it weighs only 1.6 N while retaining its exact 1 kg mass.