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2.3.2. Mass and Density

How To Invent (Almost) Anything > 2. Simple Science > 2.3. Science and Matter > 2.3.2. Mass and Density

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Matter has mass, but not weight, as weight is an effect of gravity (in space, things are weightless, but their mass is unchanged). Weight is also a force and hence has a direction. For most purposes, we do not need to differentiate between mass and weight, but it is still worth knowing the difference.

Matter has density, which may be consistent through the object or may vary thought it. This is an area where we have a greater range of options than nature: our flesh and internal organs are made up of a very similar sort of flexible material, while bones and teeth are similar types of calciferous substances. A result of this is that most natural bodies end up with a fairly standard density.

In inventions, the weight need not be proportional to size, as we have a much wider range of options in the materials we use and the holes and spaces we can create within.
 

Other parts in this sub-section:

• 2.3.1. Atomic Thinking
• 2.3.2. Mass and Density
• 2.3.3. Flexibility and Rigidity
• 2.3.4. Inventing with Matter

Other sections in this chapter:

• 2.1. What is Science?
• 2.2. Science and Energy
• 2.3. Science and Matter
• 2.4. Science and Space
• 2.5. Science and Time
• 2.6. Simple Science in Non-science
• 2.7. Invention 'So What?'

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