Law of Conservation of Mass

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What is the Law of Conservation of Mass?

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The Law of Conservation of Mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

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What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

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A coefficient is a number placed in front of a compound or element in a chemical equation that indicates how many molecules or atoms are involved in the reaction.

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What does a subscript indicate in a chemical formula?

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A subscript is a number written below and to the right of a chemical symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

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How many hydrogen atoms are in the compound 3H₂O?

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There are 6 hydrogen atoms in 3H₂O (3 molecules of H₂O, each containing 2 hydrogen atoms).

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If 24 g of magnesium reacts with 38 g of fluorine, what is the mass of magnesium fluoride produced?

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62 g of magnesium fluoride is produced (24 g + 38 g = 62 g).

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What is the difference between a coefficient and a subscript?

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A coefficient indicates the number of molecules, while a subscript indicates the number of atoms in a molecule.

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In the equation 2SO₂ + 2H₂O₂ → 2H₂SO₄, how many oxygen atoms are in the products?

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There are 8 oxygen atoms in the products (2H₂SO₄ contains 4 oxygen atoms each, and there are 2 molecules).

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What is the purpose of balancing a chemical equation?

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The purpose of balancing a chemical equation is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation, in accordance with the Law of Conservation of Mass.

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What does the term 'reactants' refer to in a chemical reaction?

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Reactants are the starting substances that undergo a chemical change in a reaction.

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What does the term 'products' refer to in a chemical reaction?

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Products are the substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.