Question

Choose the wrong option.

विकल्प

• Inertial mass is a measure of difficulty of accelerating a body by an external force whereas the gravitational mass is relevant in determining the gravitational force on it by an external mass.

• That the gravitational mass and inertial mass are equal is an experimental result.

• That the acceleration due to gravity on earth is the same for all bodies is due to the equality of gravitational mass and inertial mass.

• Gravitational mass of a particle like proton can depend on the presence of neighouring heavy objects but the inertial mass cannot.

Answer 1

Gravitational mass of a particle like proton can depend on the presence of neighouring heavy objects but the inertial mass cannot.

Explanation:

Inertial mass: It is the mass of the material body, which measures its inertia.

Gravitational Mass: It is the mass of the material body, which determines the gravitational pull acting upon it.

According to the principle of equivalence, the Gravitational mass of proton is equivalent to its inertial mass and is independent of the presence of neighbouring heavy objects.

Important point: Comparison between inertial and gravitational mass:

• Both are measured in the same units.
• Both are scalars.
• Both do not depend on the shape and state of the body.
• Inertial mass is measured by applying Newton’s second law of motion whereas gravitational mass is measured by applying Newton’s law of gravitation.
• Spring balance measures gravitational mass and inertial balance measure inertial mass.