In one series of studies, 6-month-olds watch a toy car come down a ramp, go behind a screen, and emerge on the other side in either a "possible" or an "impossible" condition, as researchers record any evidence that the infant is "surprised." The research is an attempt to infer whether the infant understands

A) mapping.
B) conservation of mass.
C) conservation of volume.
D) object permanence.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be observed or are out of sight, a concept important in cognitive development.

Conservation of Mass

A principle stating that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a closed system through physical and chemical changes.

Conservation of Volume

The understanding that the quantity of a substance remains the same despite changes in its shape or container.