Assume that the mixture of substances in drawing (a) undergoes a reaction. Which of the drawings (b)–(d) rep-resents a product mixture consistent with the law of mass conservation?
(b)
(c)
(d)

Key Concepts

Law of Conservation of Mass

The Law of Conservation of Mass states that in a closed system, the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products in a chemical reaction. This principle implies that atoms are neither created nor destroyed during a reaction; they are simply rearranged. Therefore, the number of each type of atom before and after the reaction must remain constant.

Chemical Reaction Representation

In chemistry, a chemical reaction is often represented visually through models or diagrams that depict the arrangement of atoms before and after the reaction. These representations help illustrate how reactants transform into products, highlighting the changes in bonding and structure. Understanding these visual models is crucial for analyzing the outcomes of reactions and ensuring they adhere to conservation laws.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between the amounts of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to predict the proportions of substances consumed and produced, based on balanced chemical equations. Mastery of stoichiometry is essential for determining whether a proposed product mixture aligns with the Law of Conservation of Mass, as it ensures that the number of atoms remains consistent before and after the reaction.