How does the following chemical equation support the law of conservation of matter?

1 answer

To analyze how a chemical equation supports the law of conservation of matter, we first need to understand what this law states. The law of conservation of matter posits that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system through ordinary chemical reactions. Instead, matter can only be transformed from one form to another.

Let's consider a generic balanced chemical equation as an example:

\[ \text{A} + \text{B} \rightarrow \text{C} + \text{D} \]

In this equation:

  • Reactants: A and B are the reactants that undergo a chemical transformation.
  • Products: C and D are the products of that reaction.

To illustrate the law of conservation of matter, we need to account for the number of each type of atom present in both the reactants and the products.

  1. Count Atoms in Reactants:

    • If there are, for instance, 2 atoms of element X in A and 3 atoms of element Y in B, the total number of each type of atom on the left side (reactants) must be counted.
  2. Count Atoms in Products:

    • After the reaction produces C and D, count the atoms of X and Y in those products.
  3. Check Balance:

    • For the equation to adhere to the law of conservation of matter, the total number of each type of atom in the reactants must equal the total number of each type of atom in the products.
    • For example, if the products still sum up to 2 atoms of X and 3 atoms of Y, then the equation is balanced, confirming that no matter was lost or gained — it was merely rearranged.

In conclusion, a balanced chemical equation serves as a visual and mathematical representation of the law of conservation of matter. It shows that, despite the changes occurring during the reaction, the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products, thereby affirming that matter is conserved throughout the process.