Question
4FE+3O2 → 2FE2O3
How does the equation show the law of conservation of mass?
How does the equation show the law of conservation of mass?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This principle can be illustrated by looking at the balanced chemical equation you've provided:
\[ 4 \text{Fe} + 3 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \]
To demonstrate the law of conservation of mass, we can analyze the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:
1. **Reactants (Left Side):**
- Iron (Fe): 4 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 6 atoms (from 3 \(\text{O}_2\) molecules)
2. **Products (Right Side):**
- Iron (Fe): 4 atoms (from 2 \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) molecules, since each \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) has 2 iron atoms)
- Oxygen (O): 6 atoms (also from 2 \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), since each has 3 oxygen atoms)
When we compare the number of each type of atom on both sides of the reaction:
- On the left (reactants):
- Total Fe = 4, Total O = 6
- On the right (products):
- Total Fe = 4, Total O = 6
Since the total number of atoms for each element is the same before and after the reaction, the equation shows that matter is conserved. Thus, the mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products, demonstrating the law of conservation of mass.
\[ 4 \text{Fe} + 3 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \]
To demonstrate the law of conservation of mass, we can analyze the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:
1. **Reactants (Left Side):**
- Iron (Fe): 4 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 6 atoms (from 3 \(\text{O}_2\) molecules)
2. **Products (Right Side):**
- Iron (Fe): 4 atoms (from 2 \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) molecules, since each \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) has 2 iron atoms)
- Oxygen (O): 6 atoms (also from 2 \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), since each has 3 oxygen atoms)
When we compare the number of each type of atom on both sides of the reaction:
- On the left (reactants):
- Total Fe = 4, Total O = 6
- On the right (products):
- Total Fe = 4, Total O = 6
Since the total number of atoms for each element is the same before and after the reaction, the equation shows that matter is conserved. Thus, the mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products, demonstrating the law of conservation of mass.