A student claims that the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form
hydrogen peroxide is evidence supporting the claim that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction. The chemical equation the student uses for the reaction is H2 + O2 --> H2O2. Does this evidence support the claim? Why or why not?*
Yes, it supports the claim because all the elements in the reactants appear in the product.
No, it does not support the claim because it is not a closed system.
Yes, it supports the claim because the reaction equation is balanced.
No, it does not support the claim because the reaction equation is not balanced.
1 answer
It COULD support the claim IF numbers were listed to show starting materials vs end product AND IF it were a closed system. However, that information is not given in the problem; e.g., nothing in the problem about a closed system or not a closed system.