QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Which sentence best explains the law of conservation of mass as applied to chemical reactions?
A. The amount of mass changes only slightly during a chemical reaction.
B. The volumes of the reactants and products are equal during a chemical reaction.
C. The types of atoms can change during a chemical reaction, but their masses cannot.
D. In a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step by step:
Step 2:: Understand the Law of Conservation of Mass
The law of conservation of mass states that in a closed system, the total mass of the reactants before a chemical reaction is exactly equal to the total mass of the products after the reaction. No mass is created or destroyed during the chemical process.
Step 3:: Analyze the Given Options
Let's carefully examine each option: - Option A suggests mass changes slightly (incorrect) - Option B discusses volumes (not related to mass conservation) - Option C suggests atom types can change (partially true, but not about mass) - Option D directly states that total mass of reactants equals total mass of products
Step 4:: Verify the Correct Answer
Option D precisely describes the fundamental principle of mass conservation in chemical reactions. The total mass remains constant, with atoms rearranging but maintaining the same total mass.
Final Answer
In a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products. Key Insight: Mass is conserved during chemical reactions, meaning atoms are neither created nor destroyed, only rearranged into different molecular configurations.
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