In the chemical reaction below, sodium metal and chlorine gas combine to form sodium chloride.

Question

sodium metal + chlorine gas → sodium chloride (table salt)

If the combined mass of the reactants is 50 grams, then the mass of sodium chloride formed once the reaction has reached completion
A.
will be exactly 100 grams.
B.
will be between 50 and 100 grams.
C.
will be exactly 50 grams.
D.
will be less than 50 grams.

Answer 1

In a chemical reaction, according to the law of conservation of mass, the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products. In this case, if the combined mass of the reactants (sodium metal and chlorine gas) is 50 grams, then the mass of sodium chloride (table salt) formed once the reaction has reached completion will also be 50 grams.

Thus, the correct answer is: C. will be exactly 50 grams.