inertial mass

noun

Physics.

the mass of a body as determined by the second law of motion from the acceleration of the body when it is subjected to a force that is not due to gravity.
the measure of the property of inertia. Compare Eötvös experiment, inertia ( def 2a ), gravitational mass.

inertial mass

the mass of a body as determined by its momentum, as opposed to gravitational mass. The acceleration of a falling body is inversely proportional to its inertial mass but directly proportional to its gravitational mass: as all falling bodies have the same constant acceleration the two types of mass must be equal

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