Question

Law of conservation of mass was regarded as another basic conservation law of nature until the advent of:

• A. Bose-Einstein statistics
• B. Theory of relativity
• C. Chandrasekhar limit
• D. Uncertainty principle

Hint:

Remember: \[ E=mc^2 \] replaced the separate conservation of mass and energy by the conservation of mass-energy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The classical law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed during a physical or chemical process. However, modern physics introduced the concept that mass and energy are interchangeable. Einstein's Theory of Relativity established a fundamental relationship between mass and energy through the famous equation \[ E = mc^2. \] This equation implies that mass can be converted into energy and energy can be converted into mass. Therefore, conservation of mass alone is no longer valid. Instead, the combined law of conservation of mass-energy is applicable.

Step 1: Recall the classical law.
According to classical mechanics, \[ \text{Mass is conserved.} \] This law was considered fundamental for a long period.

Step 2: Consider Einstein's contribution.
Einstein proposed \[ E = mc^2. \] This showed that mass and energy are different forms of the same physical quantity.

Step 3: Interpret the implication.
Mass can be converted into energy in nuclear reactions and energy can create particles having mass. Thus conservation of mass alone is not a universal law.

Step 4: Identify the correct option.
The law of conservation of mass lost its independent status after the development of \[ \boxed{\text{Theory of Relativity}}. \]