How does the chemical reaction between methane and oxygen demonstrate the law of conservation of mass?

Question

A
There are the same number of atoms in both reactants

B
The reactants are larger and more complex than the products

C
The products and reactants have the same number and type of atoms

D
There are the same number of chemical bonds in methane and carbon dioxide

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

C. The products and reactants have the same number and type of atoms.

The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. In the reaction between methane (CH₄) and oxygen (O₂), the products are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). The total number of each type of atom before and after the reaction remains the same, demonstrating the conservation of mass.