chunk of mass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chunk of mass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to physics, science, or any discussion involving physical objects or materials. Example: "The scientist measured a chunk of mass to determine its density and composition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A tail represents a large chunk of mass stuck on the back of a dinosaur.

The Guardian

On Netflix, the Robinsons join a meritocratic élite escaping Earth due to an extinction-level chunk of mass hurtling in their direction — a general metaphor for apocalyptic terror.

The New Yorker

In 1961, Soviet physicist Gurgen Askaryan suggested that if an incoming neutrino is energetic enough, it will generate a pattern of coherent, polarized radio and microwave emissions when it happens to interact with a chunk of mass.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To spot the ISW effect, scientists need to compare light that passed by large chunks of mass with light that steered well clear.

Science Magazine

Kurek turned that experience into a book, The Cross in the Closet, which has drawn fire for apparently being reductive and potentially offensive, but surely if it can tap into even a tiny chunk of that mass of xenophobic psyches and begin to change minds, that's a good thing.

Vice

A big chunk of the people and a critical mass of them who tilted the election from her to him.

Huffington Post

They want to seize a big chunk of the global mass market for the financial services that are developing along with the spread of free-market capitalism.

Forbes

A significant chunk of the latest American mass shootings were linked to parties over Halloween weekend.

Vice

In truth, while nowhere near as brutal as Orlando, a huge chunk of this year's worst mass shootings have been tied to two drastically under-covered phenomena.

Vice

A chunk of debris with the mass of a billiard ball moving at orbital speeds imparts as much energy on a target as a round fired from a tank.

Vice

So had he found a single great chunk of gold, or a rare mass of flakes, on his one day a month of working for himself?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chunk of mass" when referring to a distinct and sizable portion of matter, especially in scientific or technical contexts. Ensure that the context clarifies whether 'mass' refers to weight or a collection of matter.

Common error

Avoid using "chunk of mass" when you actually mean "chunk of weight". "Mass" is a fundamental property of matter, while "weight" is the force exerted on that mass due to gravity. Ensure you're using the term appropriate to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chunk of mass" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a specific quantity or portion of matter. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English, generally appearing in contexts related to physics and science.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science & Research

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chunk of mass" is a grammatically sound noun phrase primarily used to describe a discrete quantity of matter. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, with its usage being slightly more common in news, media and scientific contexts. While it can refer to different mass measures, it is most accurate to use this phrase when referring to a distinct and sizable portion of matter and avoid confusing "mass" with "weight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large piece of matter

Adds "large" to emphasize the size and uses "matter" instead of "mass" for broader appeal.

lump of matter

Replaces "chunk" with "lump" and "mass" with "matter", focusing on the physical composition.

significant amount of material

Focuses on the quantity, replacing "chunk" with "significant amount" and "mass" with "material".

substantial body of material

Substitutes "chunk" with "substantial body" and "mass" with "material", denoting a considerable amount.

portion of material

Substitutes "chunk" with "portion" and "mass" with "material", emphasizing the part-whole relationship.

segment of substance

Uses "segment" instead of "chunk" and "substance" instead of "mass", highlighting a distinct piece of a larger entity.

considerable volume of substance

Replaces "chunk" with "considerable volume" and "mass" with "substance", shifting the focus to the quantity of the material.

piece of object

Changes "chunk" to "piece" and "mass" to "object", making it more generic.

section of density

Replaces "chunk" with "section" and "mass" with "density", focusing on the concentration of matter.

block of stuff

Uses "block" for "chunk" and the informal "stuff" for "mass", creating a more casual tone.

FAQs

How is the term "chunk of mass" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific fields, "chunk of mass" typically refers to a discrete quantity of matter that is being studied or measured. It's used to describe a specific portion of a substance, often in experiments or calculations related to physics, chemistry, or engineering.

What are some alternative ways to describe a "chunk of mass" in everyday language?

In more informal contexts, you could use phrases like "piece of material", "lump of matter", or "portion of substance" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is there a difference between saying "chunk of mass" and "piece of mass"?

While both phrases are similar, "chunk of mass" often implies a larger, more substantial portion compared to "piece of mass". The choice between them depends on the size and significance of the portion you're describing.

Can "chunk of mass" be used metaphorically, or is it strictly a physical term?

While primarily used in physical contexts, "chunk of mass" can occasionally be used metaphorically to describe a significant portion of something abstract, such as a "chunk of data" or a "chunk of information". However, this usage is less common.