Sharon combines potassium (K) and water (H2O), producing potassium hydroxide (KOH) and hydrogen(H2), as shown in the chemical equation.
2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2
She records the total mass of potassium and water in the lab before combining them. The table shows her measurements.
(substances) Potassium and water = 50 (mass(g))
(substances) Potassium hydroxide and hydrogen = ? (mass(g))
Sharon predicts that the mass of the products will be 60 g. According to the law of conservation of matter, is Sharon’s prediction correct or incorrect? Why or why not?
(1 point)
Responses
A. Her prediction is incorrect because the law of conservation of matter states that some mass is lost in a chemical reaction, so the mass of the products will be less than 50 g.
B. Her prediction is correct because the law of conservation of matter states that the products of a reaction have more mass than the reactants.
C. Her prediction is incorrect because the law of conservation of matter states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, so the mass of the products will be 50 g.
D. Her prediction is correct because the law of conservation of matter states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
C. Her prediction is incorrect because the law of conservation of matter states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, so the mass of the products will be 50 g.
According to the law of conservation of matter, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products in a chemical reaction. Therefore, the mass of the products should be equal to the initial mass of the reactants, which is 50 g in this case.