Question map
Which one of the following statements about the mass of a body is correct ?
Explanation
Mass is defined as the quantity of matter present in an object [5]. Unlike weight, which is the gravitational force acting on a body and varies depending on location and gravitational field strength [5], mass is an intrinsic property of matter. Scientific evidence confirms that an object's mass remains constant regardless of its position in the universe, whether on Earth, the Moon, or in deep space [1]. While the density of a substance can be affected by temperature and pressure, the mass itself does not change with shape or size [3]. In special relativity, the 'rest mass' or 'invariant mass' is specifically used to describe this constant property of a system [5]. Therefore, mass is the same everywhere, distinguishing it from weight which changes from one place to another [1].
Sources
- [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Exploring Forces > A step further > p. 75
- [3] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 9: The Amazing World of Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions > How do scientists define density? > p. 140
- [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_in_special_relativity