The following statements pertain to the development of the theory of combustion by the French chemist Lavoisier in the eighteenth century. Match the statement with the appro-priate step (observation, hypothesis, experiment designed to test hypothesis) in the scientific method (a) A metal is burned in a closed container, and the change in mass of the solid and volume of the gas is measured.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the statement given in the problem: 'A metal is burned in a closed container, and the change in mass of the solid and volume of the gas is measured.'
2. Recognize that this statement describes a specific action taken to gather data.
3. Understand that in the scientific method, an experiment is a procedure carried out to test a hypothesis or demonstrate a known fact.
4. Determine that the action of burning a metal in a closed container and measuring changes is a controlled procedure to collect empirical data.
5. Conclude that the statement describes an 'experiment designed to test hypothesis' in the scientific method.

Key Concepts

Scientific Method

The scientific method is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions. It is fundamental in scientific research as it provides a structured framework for investigating phenomena and validating theories.

Combustion

Combustion is a chemical reaction that typically involves the rapid combination of a substance with oxygen, producing heat and light. In the context of Lavoisier's work, understanding combustion was crucial for developing theories about chemical reactions and the conservation of mass.

Mass and Volume Measurement

Measuring mass and volume is essential in experiments to quantify changes during chemical reactions. In Lavoisier's experiments, tracking the mass of reactants and products allowed him to formulate the law of conservation of mass, which states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.