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Re: Measurement of mass

Robert Carlson wrote:

rom,

The relative amount of mass of two objects might be determined with a closed
system collision. Use the ratio of the accelerations to determine the ratio
of the masses. Hence, if one mass is standard, then the other mass can be
determined.

Right. Essentially Mach's operational definition. Doesn't need to be a
collision. Any situation with an internal force between the two masses,
a spring will do nicely. Because of the third law, the mass ratio is the
inverse of the acceleration ratio, so if one mass is the standard, the
other is determined.
J. Epstein