The mass is a physical property indicating the amount of matter that has a body or particle. Thanks to it we can interact with our environment, and no matter how small or negligible the atoms or particles may seem, the cohesion between them multiplies their effects until they become tangible.

All objects have an associated mass; some are light or weightless, while others are massive or massive. Physically the mass holds many secrets, as well as numerous and intertwined definitions. On the other hand, chemically it is nothing more than a measure to be taken into account when carrying out industrial syntheses or in gravimetric analyzes.

The mass of this stone turtle is the same regardless of its position in the Universe and the force of gravity it experiences. Source: fotoerich via Pixabay.

Likewise, the mode and formulas used to calculate mass vary depending on the phenomenon considered (gravitational, electromagnetic, inertia, quantum, etc.); but in the end, its value will always be the same, since it is a constant at any point in the Universe (unless in the process a part is transformed into energy).

Electrons, protons, neutrons, atoms, molecules, planets, stars, and galaxies have a mass value made up of various types of matter. Where and how it originated are questions that physics is constantly engaged in investigating its answers.

Concept

Chemical

Chemically, mass is the amount of matter that a certain substance or compound possesses. It has no more relevance than concentration or molecular recognition with regard to catalytic reactions or in the development of mesoporous materials; but yes in the performance of these, the intermolecular interactions and their physical properties. In a laboratory, mass is measured with a scale or balance.

Physical

Although physically the concept is in principle the same, the mass pattern has remarkable characteristics in all its laws. For example, its definition according to Newton's second law, consists of the resistance that a body opposes to undergo an acceleration under the action of a force.

The more massive and "heavier" this object or body (a whale) is, the more difficult it will be to accelerate it in one direction in space. The opposite happens with lightweight bodies (a portfolio).

In addition to this, mass is understood as a measure of how much a body interacts with a gravitational field, and how much the former can deform the latter. This is where what is known by weight comes in, the difference in weight of the same object on various planets or regions of the Cosmos.

Mass is also the result, more currently, of the interactions or affinities that particles experience for the Higgs field that surrounds the entire Universe.

Properties of dough

Mass is an extensive property, as it depends on the amount of matter, which is expressed in units of grams (g) or kilograms (kg). It's constant as long as it doesn't approach the speed of light, so it doesn't matter how large the field (gravitational, electronic, magnetic, etc.) you experiment with it is.

In addition to this, it is a scalar quantity and one of the seven fundamental quantities. Mass allows matter to exist as such and exhibit all its characteristics studied by physical or chemical analysis.

The smallest known mass as far as chemistry is concerned is that of the electron (9.1 · 10 ^-31 kg). All atoms due to their very small mass are preferred to be expressed in terms of atomic mass units (amu), whose numerical values ​​are equal to grams using the concept of Avogadro's number and moles.

The properties of the mass in chemistry do not escape the conventional; while in physics, the atomic nuclei of matter can decompose releasing abysmal amounts of energy, which leads to disobey the law of conservation of mass.

Formula for mass and how it is calculated

Physically

Depending on the system and the laws that govern them, the mass can be calculated from different formulas. For example, as far as Newtonian physics is concerned, mass is calculated by measuring the acceleration that a body acquires under a measurable force:

m = F / a

Knowing the weight and the acceleration generated by gravity:

m = W / g

Or the kinetic energy of the object:

m = 2E _c / v ²

Another alternative is simply knowing the density of the object as well as its volume:

m = dV

In this way, the mass of a body is easily calculated by multiplying its density by its volume, in the event that it cannot be placed on a scale.

Chemically

As far as chemistry is concerned, masses are always determined using a balance after or before experiments; even when these are not essentially gravimetric.

However, it is quite common to calculate how much of a reagent must be weighed on the balance to obtain a certain amount of moles or a concentration of the same once it is dissolved in a solvent. We have:

M = m / n

Where M is the molar mass, m the mass of the species, and n the number of moles. But it is also known that molarity is:

c = n / V

As the volume V of the solution to be prepared is known, as well as its concentration c, n is calculated and substituted in the molar mass formula to obtain the mass of the reagent to be weighed.

Examples

Titanium mass

There is a titanium sample with a volume of 23,000 cm ³. Knowing that its density is 4.506 g / cm³, calculate the mass of this sample.

The formula for density is:

d = m / V

Solving for the mass we have:

m = dV

So you only need to calculate by substituting the variables for the given values:

m = (4.506 g / cm³) (23,000 cm ³)

= 103.638 g or 103.64 kg

Potassium dichromate mass

You want to prepare 250 mL of a solution of potassium dichromate, K ₂ Cr ₂ O ₇, with a concentration of 0.63 M (mol / L). Calculate how much of K ₂ Cr ₂ O ₇ should be weighed on the balance. The molar mass of K ₂ Cr ₂ O ₇ is 294.185 g / mol.

From the formula

c = n / V

We remove the moles:

n = c V

= (0.63 M) (0.250 L)

= 0.1575 moles K ₂ Cr ₂ O ₇

Knowing the moles that must be in those 250 milliliters of solution, using the molar mass of K ₂ Cr ₂ O _{7, it} is determined how much mass corresponds to this amount of matter:

M = m / n

m = Mn

= (294.185 g / mol) (0.1575 mol K ₂ Cr ₂ O ₇)

= 46.3341 g

Therefore, 46.3341 grams of K ₂ Cr ₂ O ₇ are weighed on the balance, dissolved and transferred in their respective solvent to a 250 mL balloon to finally be made up with water.

Mass of the planets of the solar system

• Mercury (planet): 3.302 x 10ˆ23 kg.
• Venus (planet): 4.8685 x 10ˆ24 kg.
• Earth (planet): 5, 9736 x 10ˆ24 kg.
• Mars (planet): 6.4185 x 10ˆ23 kg.
• Jupiter (planet): 1.899 x 10ˆ27 kg.
• Saturn (planet): 5.6846 x 10ˆ26 kg.
• Uranus (planet): 8.6832 x 10ˆ25 kg.
• Neptune (planet): 1.0243 x 10ˆ26 kg.
• Pluto (dwarf planet): 1,305 +/- 0,0007 x 10ˆ22 kg.

Mass of some satellites of the solar system

• Moon: 7.349 x 10ˆ22 kg.
• Ganymede: 1,482 x 10ˆ23 kg.
• Io: 8.94 x 10ˆ22 kg.
• Europa (Jupiter's satellite): 4.80 x 10ˆ22 kg.
• Titan: 1.345 x 10ˆ23 kg.
• Rhea: 2.3166 x 10-21 kg.
• Iapetus: 1.9739 x 10ˆ21 kg.
• Hyperion: 1.08 x 10ˆ19 kg.
• Encaladus: 1.08 x 10ˆ20 kg.
• Mimas: 3.752 x 10ˆ19 kg.
• Ariel: 1.35 x 10ˆ21 kg.
• Titania: 3,526 x 10ˆ21 kg.
• Oberon: 3.014 x 10ˆ21 kg.

Mass of suits

• Diver suit: about 20 kg.
• Firefighter suit: between 10 kg and 25 kg.
• Astronaut suit: 130 kg.

Woodworking tools mass

• Hammer: Between 600 gr and 2 kg.
• Lime: 100 gr.
• Handsaw: Between 500 gr and 1 kg.
• Pliers: 500 gr.

Ball mass

• Handball ball: 450 gr.
• Volleyball ball: 275 gr.
• Basketball ball: 600 gr.
• Soccer ball: 400 gr.

Mass of some architectural works

• Cheops Pyramid: 5750000 tons.
• Leaning Tower of Pisa: 14,700 tons.
• Eiffel Tower: 7300 tons.
• Statue of Liberty: 225 tons.

Average mass of humans

• Newborn babies: 3, 4 kg.
• 5-year-old child: 18 kg.
• 5-year-old girl: 17 kg.
• 15-year-old boy: 47 kg.
• 15-year-old girl: 45 kg.
• 30-year-old man: 73 kg.
• 30-year-old woman: 58 kg.

Average mass of musical instruments

• Acoustic guitar: 2.5 kg.
• Electric guitar: 3 kg.
• Violin: between 440 gr and 500 gr.
• Violincello: between 4 kg and 8kg
• Grand piano: between 400 kg and 650 kg.
• Baby grand piano: between 220 kg and 350 kg.

Average mass of electronic devices

• Camera (non-professional): between 150 gr and 250 gr.
• Cell: 100 gr.
• Microwave: 16 kg.
• Laptop: between 1.5 kg and 3 kg.
• Television: between 12 kg and 30 kg.
• Washing machine: between 70 kg and 100 kg.

Average mass of means of transport

• Bus: between 11400 kg and 18100 kg.
• Automobile: between 1000 kg and 1300 kg.
• Airplane: 178,750 kg (empty) and 397,000 kg (full)
• Bicycle: between 6 kg and 7 kg.
• Motorcycle: between 80 kg and 93 kg.
• Skateboard: between 900 gr and 1,500 kg.
• Train: between 40 and 100 tons.

Average mass of garments

• T-shirt: 180 gr.
• Jeans: between 450 gr and 550 gr.
• Sweater: 350 gr.
• Dress shoes: between 1 kg and 1.3 kg
• Slippers: 250 gr.
• Short boots: 400 gr.
• Leather boots: 1,500 gr.
• Belt: 60 gr.
• Stockings: 10 gr.
• Wool sack: 600gr.
• Winter coat: 800 gr.
• Pullover: 500 gr.
• Leggings: 300 gr.

Average mass of some fruits

• Lemon: 40 gr.
• Mango: 200 gr.
• Orange: 125 gr.
• Peach: 100 gr.
• Banana: 150 gr.
• Apple: 180 gr.
• Pear: 180 gr.
• Tomato: 150 gr.

Average mass of some vegetables

• Carrot: 80 gr.
• Beetroot: 60 gr.
• Potato: 150 gr.
• Onion: 100 gr.

Average mass of some dogs

• Bulldog: between 18 kg and 25 kg.
• Poodle: 15 kg.
• Carlino pug: between 6.3 kg and 10.5 kg.
• Cocker Spanish: between 12 kg and 16 kg.
• Dalmatian: between 16 kg and 32 kg.
• German Shepherd: between 22 kg and 40 kg.
• Siberian wolf: between 16 kg and 27 kg.
• Chihuahua: between 1.5 and 3 kg.