Conservation of mass (quantitative chemistry) Flashcards
1
Q
What is conservation of mass?
A
- In a chemical reaction, the total mass of the products is equal to the total mass of the reactants. Mass is conserved (kept the same) because no atoms are lost or made.
2
Q
Why do some reactions appear to involve a change in mass?
A
- This happens when reactions are carried out in a non closed system and can include a gas that can enter or leave. For example, when magnesium is burned in the air to produce magnesium oxide, the mass of the solid increases. This is because when the magnesium is burned, it combines with the oxygen in the air and oxygen has mass.
