Using the same image of the vinegar and baking soda chemical reaction... A scientist finds that the total mass after the compounds react, is less than the sum of the masses before they react. Which 2 statements explain this observation.

Answer 1

The observation that the total mass after the reaction of vinegar and baking soda is less than the sum of the masses before the reaction can be explained by the following two statements:

1. Gas Release: During the reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), carbon dioxide gas is produced as a byproduct. This gas can escape into the atmosphere if not contained, resulting in a loss of mass that accounts for the difference between the initial and final mass measurements.

2. Measurement Error: There may be inaccuracies in the measurement of the initial masses of the reactants or the final mass of the products. If some of the reactants were spilled or the reaction was not contained properly, it could lead to an apparent loss of mass that does not reflect the actual conservation of mass in a closed system.

These two factors highlight the importance of ensuring that measurements are taken accurately and that all products are contained for an accurate assessment of mass before and after a chemical reaction.