Answer:
D. Gases were released to the atmosphere
Step-by-step explanation:
In accordance to the law of conservation of mass, the total amount of reactants must equate the total amount of products at the end of the reaction because matter can not be lost or created. However, certain changes like gas evolution, formation of precipitate etc. indicates the occurrence of a chemical reaction.
In a chemical reaction, the total mass of the product(s) would be less than the total weight of the reactant(s) because GASES, which constituted part of the mass of the reaction, WERE RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. However, if the mass of the gas released can be accounted for, the amount of reactants and products must balance.