Re: Mass

[SSHS KPHOX <kphox@CHERRYCREEKSCHOOLS.ORG>]

Forum for Physics Educators <PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu> writes:
>  I think there is a great advantage in defining mass as what a beam
> balance measures. It teaches that we can measure mass even though we can
> not
> actually define it in words. I think it is important that students realize
> this irony. We spend too much time trying to do the impossible.

I also liked to use an inertial balance (2 hacksaw blades with no
serations and a small aluminum pan on each end between the blades) to
masure mass. The equivalence to gravitational mass is wonderful.

The challenge was to measure a bag of candy to within 10% if you wanted
the candy. Most got it.

Ken Fox