Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is the definition of mass?

1. Measure of gravitational force

2. Measure of the amount of substance in an object

3. Measurement of energy

4. Measure of temperature

The correct answer is: Measure of the amount of substance in an object

Mass is defined as the measure of the amount of substance in an object. It quantifies how much matter is present, regardless of the object's volume or shape. This concept is fundamental in physics and chemistry as it relates to the properties of matter and its interactions with forces such as gravity. Understanding mass is crucial for various applications, including calculating weight, determining the density of substances, and understanding reactions in chemistry where mass conservation is key. Mass is an intrinsic property of an object and remains constant, whereas weight can change based on gravitational forces acting on the object. This definition distinguishes mass from other physical quantities like energy or temperature, which measure entirely different properties.