How is mass defined in relation to an object?

Mass is defined as the amount of matter in an object. This fundamental concept in physics indicates how much substance comprises a particular object, regardless of its location in the universe. Mass is a scalar quantity and is measured in units such as grams or kilograms.

Understanding mass is crucial, as it directly influences an object's inertia, or resistance to changes in its motion when a force is applied. Additionally, while mass remains constant regardless of gravitational forces or the object's environment, weight, which is a force resulting from gravity acting on that mass, can change depending on where an object is located (like on Earth versus in space). This distinction highlights why mass is a foundational concept in both science and engineering, affecting calculations related to force, acceleration, and energy.