Final answer:
The correct answer representing the law of conservation of mass is c. mass of reactants = mass of products, as it states that the mass in chemical reactions is conserved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law of conservation of mass states that in any chemical reaction, the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products. This principle underscores that matter can neither be created nor destroyed in chemical reactions. To answer the given question, the correct option that best represents the law of conservation of mass is c. mass of reactants = mass of products.
For example, if you were to react 2 grams of hydrogen with 16 grams of oxygen, you would expect to get 18 grams of water, demonstrating the law in action. This is because the mass of the substances before and after the reaction must remain constant, even though they may change forms. When you balance a chemical equation, you are essentially proving that the law of conservation of mass is upheld, as the total atomic mass of the reactants will be shown equal to the total atomic mass of the products.