According to the law of conservation of mass, how does the mass of the products in a chemical reaction compare to the mass of the reactnats?
According to the law of conservation of mass, the total mass of the products in a chemical reaction is always equal to the total mass of the reactants. In other words, mass is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction.
To understand this concept, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the reactants: In a chemical equation, the reactants are listed on the left side of the equation. They are the substances that participate in the reaction.
2. Determine the molar masses: Calculate the molar masses of each reactant by adding up the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule. This can be done by looking up the atomic masses on the periodic table.
3. Balance the chemical equation: Ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is the same. This is done by adjusting coefficients in front of the formulas of the reactants and products.
4. Calculate the total mass of reactants: Multiply the molar mass of each reactant by the corresponding coefficient in the balanced equation. Then, add up these masses to calculate the total mass of the reactants.
5. Calculate the total mass of products: Repeat the same process as step 4 for the products in the chemical equation.
6. Compare the masses: If the equation is balanced correctly and the reaction is carried out under ideal conditions, you will find that the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products.
By applying these steps, you can determine and observe the conservation of mass in a chemical reaction as required by the law.