Which procedure could be used to demonstrate that matter is conserved during a physical change?

Find the mass of an apple. Cut the apple and remove the core. Find the mass of the remaining apple.

Find the mass of a raw egg. Cook the egg. Find the mass of the cooked egg.

Find the mass of a piece of ice. Let the ice melt. Find the mass of the liquid water.

Find the mass of a cup of water. Boil the water. Find the mass of the water that remains.

1 answer

To demonstrate that matter is conserved during a physical change, the most appropriate procedure from the options provided is:

Find the mass of a piece of ice. Let the ice melt. Find the mass of the liquid water.

This procedure involves a physical change (melting) where the ice (solid) transforms into water (liquid), and it is expected that the total mass before and after the change remains the same, demonstrating the conservation of matter.

In the case of the other options:

  • Cutting the apple and removing the core involves a change in the apple's structure, but doesn't necessarily demonstrate mass conservation in the same way.
  • Cooking an egg is a chemical change, which might not show conservation of mass due to potential loss of gases.
  • Boiling water can lead to loss of mass due to steam escaping, which also wouldn't demonstrate conservation of matter effectively.

Thus, the ice melting into water is the best example for showing that matter is conserved during a physical change.