conservation of mass

noun

, Physics.

1. the principle that in any closed system subjected to no external forces, the mass is constant irrespective of its changes in form; the principle that matter cannot be created or destroyed.

conservation of mass

noun

1. the principle that the total mass of any isolated system is constant and is independent of any chemical and physical changes taking place within the system

conservation of mass

1. A principle of classical physics stating that the total mass of a closed system is unchanged by interaction of its parts. The principle does not hold under Special Relativity, since mass and energy can be converted into one another.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservation of mass¹

First recorded in 1880–85