Final answer:
Antoine Lavoisier developed the law of conservation of matter and advanced the understanding of chemical reactions, paving the way for modern chemistry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antoine Lavoisier, known as the father of modern chemistry, developed the concept of the law of conservation of matter and significantly advanced the study of chemistry. He transformed chemistry from a qualitative to a quantitative science through his systematic and methodical study of gases. Among his many achievements, he discovered the role of oxygen in combustion, determined the composition of air, explicated the chemical process of respiration, and contributed to establishing the laws of chemical combination.
Lavoisier's work paved the way for future scientists, such as John Dalton, who developed atomic theory building upon Lavoisier's findings. The legacy of Lavoisier's rigorous approach to scientific investigation and the precision of his experimental methods laid the groundwork for the rapid development of chemical science.