Question

A scientist performed an experiment using a wax candle and a large airtight glass container filled with oxygen. Nothing could get into or out of the glass container during the experiment. The scientist measured the mass of the unlit candle and the container to be 956 grams at the beginning of the experiment. Then, she lit the candle. After a short time, the candle stopped burning, and it appeared slightly smaller.

What will the mass of the candle and the container be now that the experiment is over?
A.The mass will be exactly 956 grams because mass is always conserved in closed systems.
B.The mass will be less than 956 grams because smoke weighs less than wax.
C.The mass will be less than 956 grams because burning the candle turns it into energy.
D.The mass will be more than 956 grams because burning the candle creates smoke.

Answer 1

The mass of the candle and container will remain 956 grams due to the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that mass in a closed system is conserved during chemical reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mass of the candle and the airtight glass container will be exactly 956 grams after the candle has burned for a while and appears smaller. This observation can be explained by the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system during chemical reactions. In this experiment, the candle wax combines with the oxygen inside the container to form carbon dioxide and water vapor, which remain within the closed system, ensuring that the total mass remains unchanged.