The two statements that explain the observation of the total mass after the reaction being less than the sum of the masses before the reaction are:
- Some of the mass has escaped as a gas.
- Law of conservation of mass. Mass cannot be created nor destroyed.
The first statement captures the idea that during the reaction, gas bubbles (carbon dioxide) can escape from the mixture, leading to a lower mass measurement afterward. The second statement reinforces the principle that mass cannot be created or destroyed, implying that any mass "missing" is likely due to gas escaping rather than any loss of mass in a different manner.