Question
During the combustion of coal, the carbon in coal reacts with the oxygen in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide. A, B, and C represent the masses of compounds either used up or formed by the combustion of coal.
A = 12 grams, B = 44 grams, C = 32 grams
Which of the following statements supports the conclusion that combustion of coal follows the law of conservation?
The total mass of A and C, which are carbon dioxide and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon.
The total mass of A and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon dioxide.
The total mass of B and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of A, which is carbon dioxide.
The total mass of A and B, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of C, which is carbon dioxide.
A = 12 grams, B = 44 grams, C = 32 grams
Which of the following statements supports the conclusion that combustion of coal follows the law of conservation?
The total mass of A and C, which are carbon dioxide and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon.
The total mass of A and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon dioxide.
The total mass of B and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of A, which is carbon dioxide.
The total mass of A and B, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of C, which is carbon dioxide.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. In the context of the combustion of coal, this means that the total mass of the reactants (carbon and oxygen) must equal the total mass of the products (carbon dioxide).
Based on the provided definitions:
- A = 12 grams (Carbon, portion of coal)
- B = 44 grams (Carbon dioxide, product of combustion)
- C = 32 grams (Oxygen, portion of air)
To support the conclusion that combustion of coal follows the law of conservation of mass, we need to verify a statement that accurately reflects that the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
Examining the statement options:
1. **The total mass of A and C, which are carbon dioxide and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon.**
- Incorrect. A and C are not carbon dioxide and oxygen.
2. **The total mass of A and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon dioxide.**
- Incorrect. A (Carbon) + C (Oxygen) = 12 grams + 32 grams = 44 grams, which equals B (Carbon dioxide), but this labeling is confusing as B should represent the product.
3. **The total mass of B and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of A, which is carbon dioxide.**
- Incorrect. This does not support the law of conservation because it suggests that the mass has changed.
4. **The total mass of A and B, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of C, which is carbon dioxide.**
- Incorrect. This also does not support the law, as it does not accurately align with the reactants and products.
From the correct analysis, the conclusion that supports the law of conservation of mass should be framed as:
The total mass of A (Carbon) and C (Oxygen) equals the mass of B (Carbon dioxide), which reflects the law of conservation of mass accurately.
Since none of the provided options precisely match this conclusion, none of the provided statements fully support the conclusion about the law of conservation of mass as intended. However, the intent behind option 2 could be interpreted as closest if the terms were incorrectly labeled, as it aligns with the concept of equal masses on either side.
Based on the provided definitions:
- A = 12 grams (Carbon, portion of coal)
- B = 44 grams (Carbon dioxide, product of combustion)
- C = 32 grams (Oxygen, portion of air)
To support the conclusion that combustion of coal follows the law of conservation of mass, we need to verify a statement that accurately reflects that the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
Examining the statement options:
1. **The total mass of A and C, which are carbon dioxide and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon.**
- Incorrect. A and C are not carbon dioxide and oxygen.
2. **The total mass of A and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is equal to the mass of B, which is carbon dioxide.**
- Incorrect. A (Carbon) + C (Oxygen) = 12 grams + 32 grams = 44 grams, which equals B (Carbon dioxide), but this labeling is confusing as B should represent the product.
3. **The total mass of B and C, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of A, which is carbon dioxide.**
- Incorrect. This does not support the law of conservation because it suggests that the mass has changed.
4. **The total mass of A and B, which are carbon and oxygen, is greater than the mass of C, which is carbon dioxide.**
- Incorrect. This also does not support the law, as it does not accurately align with the reactants and products.
From the correct analysis, the conclusion that supports the law of conservation of mass should be framed as:
The total mass of A (Carbon) and C (Oxygen) equals the mass of B (Carbon dioxide), which reflects the law of conservation of mass accurately.
Since none of the provided options precisely match this conclusion, none of the provided statements fully support the conclusion about the law of conservation of mass as intended. However, the intent behind option 2 could be interpreted as closest if the terms were incorrectly labeled, as it aligns with the concept of equal masses on either side.