Question

If the mass of a body is \[M\] on the surface of the earth, the mass of the same body on the surface of moon is:
\[\begin{align}
  & A.\text{ }\dfrac{M}{6} \\
 & B.\text{ M} \\
 & C.\text{ 6M} \\
 & D.\text{ Zero} \\
\end{align}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Recall the difference between mass and weight. Think about mass and weight, and distinguish which one changes from place to place and which one does not.

Complete step by step answer:
Mass of the body does not change with the locations so the mass of the body will be the same on the moon as on earth. Only weight varies from place to place just because of change in gravitational acceleration.
The terms ‘mass’ and ‘weight’ are frequently used in ordinary conversation, but these two words do not mean the same thing.
The difference between mass and weight is that mass is the amount of substance while weight is the force applied by gravity on the body.
Mass is the measure of the amount of substance present inside the body. Mass is denoted using \[m\] or \[M\].
Weight is the measure of the force applied due to gravitation. Weight usually is denoted by \[W\]. Weight is mass multiplied by the acceleration of gravity (g), i.e., \[W=mg\]
Hence, the correct option is B, i.e., \[M\].

Additional Information:
Difference between mass and weight:
1. Mass is the measurement of the amount of substance that something contains, while weight is the measurement of the pull of gravity the object.
2. We measure the mass of a body by using a balance in which we basically compare a known amount of matter to an unknown amount of matter, while weight is measured on a scale.
3. The mass of an object does not change with location, while weight changes with location.

Note: Students should understand the differences between mass and weight comprehensively so that they do not confuse between them. Here in this question if a student is confused between the mass and weight then there are a lot of chances that he/she will answer \[\dfrac{M}{6}\] but students should keep in mind that the mass of a body does not change. Only weight changes with the value of acceleration due to gravity \[\left( g \right)\].