In the chemical reaction below, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) combine to form sodium chloride (NaCl).

2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl

The combined mass of the starting reactants is 50 grams. What is the total mass of sodium chloride formed when the reaction is complete?
A.
less than 50 grams
B.
more than 100 grams
C.
exactly 100 grams
D.
exactly 50 grams

1 answer

According to the law of conservation of mass, the total mass of reactants in a chemical reaction must equal the total mass of the products. In the reaction you provided:

\[ 2 \text{Na} + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NaCl} \]

the mass of the reactants (sodium and chlorine) is 50 grams. Therefore, the total mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) formed when the reaction is complete will also be 50 grams.

The correct answer is:

D. exactly 50 grams