Answer:
The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products.
Let's consider an example to understand this concept. Suppose you have a chemical reaction where 2 grams of hydrogen gas (H2) react with 16 grams of oxygen gas (O2) to form water (H2O). According to the law of conservation of mass, the total mass of the reactants (2 grams + 16 grams = 18 grams) must be equal to the total mass of the products (18 grams of water).
In this example, the law of conservation of mass is observed because the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products. No mass is lost or gained during the chemical reaction.
In summary, the law of conservation of mass states that the total mass of the reactants in a chemical reaction is equal to the total mass of the products. This law helps us understand that matter is conserved during chemical reactions and provides a fundamental principle in chemistry
Step-by-step explanation: