The principle of conservation of matter states that in a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed. This means that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the reaction equation.
Let's analyze each option:
A. K + MgBr → KBr + Mg
- Reactants: 1 K, 1 Mg, 1 Br
- Products: 1 K, 1 Br, 1 Mg
- Total: Reactants = 1 K, 1 Mg, 1 Br; Products = 1 K, 1 Mg, 1 Br (balanced)
B. K + 2MgBr → KBr + 2Mg
- Reactants: 1 K, 2 Mg, 2 Br
- Products: 1 K, 2 Br, 2 Mg
- Total: Reactants = 1 K, 2 Mg, 2 Br; Products = 1 K, 2 Mg, 2 Br (balanced)
C. 2K + MgBr → 2KBr + Mg
- Reactants: 2 K, 1 Mg, 1 Br
- Products: 2 K, 1 Br, 1 Mg
- Total: Reactants = 2 K, 1 Mg, 1 Br; Products = 2 K, 1 Mg, 1 Br (balanced)
D. 2K + 2MgBr → KBr + 2Mg
- Reactants: 2 K, 2 Mg, 2 Br
- Products: 1 K, 2 Mg, 1 Br
- Total: Reactants = 2 K, 2 Mg, 2 Br; Products = 1 K, 2 Mg, 1 Br (not balanced)
The only option that does not conserve matter is D, as it does not balance properly.
So, the correct answer is that reactions A, B, and C all uphold the principle of conservation of matter. However, if you need one specific balanced equation, options A, B, or C can be used, but D is the one that fails this principle.
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