Physicists frequently employ two fundamental equations in mechanics: Newton’s second law,
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics C: Mechanics · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
Physicists frequently employ two fundamental equations in mechanics: Newton’s second law, ∑F=ma, and Newton’s universal law of gravitation, F=Gr2m1m2. Careful reading of these equations raises questions about whether the symbol m always refers to the same physical property.
(a) For each equation above, identify which occurrence(s) of m represent inertial mass and which represent gravitational mass. Justify your identifications in words.
(b) Explain how experimental evidence demonstrates that the two kinds of mass are equal within current measurement uncertainty.
(c) Give two distinct examples, drawn from celestial mechanics or everyday phenomena, whose standard explanations rely on the observed equality of inertial and gravitational mass.