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  • Word comparison: inertial mass vs. gravitational mass

inertial mass vs. gravitational mass

inertial mass

noun

Physics.
  1. 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.
  2. the measure of the property of inertia. Compare Eötvös experiment, inertia ( def 2a ), gravitational mass.

gravitational mass

noun

Physics.
  1. the mass of a body as measured by its gravitational attraction for other bodies.