The conservation of mass law states that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products. This means that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation.
To determine which model best illustrates this law, let's analyze the given options:
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First Option: A large yellow circle with 2 small red circles reacts with 2 molecules, each made up of a large yellow circle with two small white circles. The products are three large yellow circles and 2 small red circles each with 2 small white circles attached.
- Reactants: 1 large yellow + 2 small red + 2 (1 large yellow + 2 small white) = 3 large yellow + 2 small red + 4 small white.
- Products: 3 large yellow + 2 small red + 4 small white.
- Mass is conserved.
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Second Option: A large yellow circle with 2 small red circles reacts with a molecule made up of a large yellow circle with two small white circles. The products are 1 large yellow circle and 1 small red circle with 2 small white circles attached.
- Reactants: 1 large yellow + 2 small red + 1 (1 large yellow + 2 small white) = 2 large yellow + 2 small red + 2 small white.
- Products: 1 large yellow + 1 small red + 2 small white.
- Mass is not conserved.
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Third Option: A large yellow circle with 2 small red circles reacts with 2 large yellow circles each with two small white circles attached. The products are three large yellow circles and 3 small red circles each with 2 small white circles attached.
- Reactants: 1 large yellow + 2 small red + 2 (1 large yellow + 2 small white) = 3 large yellow + 2 small red + 4 small white.
- Products: 3 large yellow + 3 small red + 4 small white.
- Mass is not conserved.
Based on this analysis, the option that best models how a chemical reaction follows the conservation of mass law is the first option.