Multiple Choice
Which statement best explains the relationship between the law of conservation of mass and the process of balancing chemical equations?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Law of Conservation of Mass
Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the conservation of mass in a chemical equation?
A
The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.
B
The number of atoms in the reactants is always less than in the products.
C
The mass of the products is always greater than the mass of the reactants.
D
The chemical equation must always produce more molecules than it started with.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Recognize that in a balanced chemical equation, the total number of atoms of each element in the reactants must equal the total number of atoms of those elements in the products.
Realize that because atoms are neither lost nor gained, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.
Note that the number of atoms or molecules can change in terms of arrangement, but the total mass remains constant.
Conclude that the correct description of conservation of mass in a chemical equation is: 'The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.'
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