How does a balanced chemical equation demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Mass? use responses
responses
it shows that the properties of the elements stay the same after the reaction
it shows that all compounds remain bonded after the reaction
it shows that no atoms have been gained or lost during the reaction
it shows that only physical changes follow the Law of Conservation of Mass
A balanced chemical equation demonstrates the Law of Conservation of Mass through the last option provided:
- it shows that no atoms have been gained or lost during the reaction
This principle states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. In a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant side and the product side of the equation. This means that although the atoms may be rearranged to form new compounds, the total mass of the reactants will equal the total mass of the products, thus conserving mass across the reaction.
The other given options are incorrect in the context of how a balanced chemical equation demonstrates the Law of Conservation of Mass:
- "it shows that the properties of the elements stay the same after the reaction" is not accurate because the properties of the elements often change when they form compounds. It is the identity of the atoms that remains conserved, not their original properties.
- "it shows that all compounds remain bonded after the reaction" is incorrect because during chemical reactions, bonds are broken and new bonds are formed to create different compounds.
- "it shows that only physical changes follow the Law of Conservation of Mass" is not right because both physical changes and chemical changes follow the Law of Conservation of Mass. Physical changes don't produce new substances, while chemical changes do, but in both cases, the total mass remains constant.