One classic procedure to demonstrate the conservation of matter during a chemical change is to conduct a closed-system reaction and measure the mass before and after the reaction. Here’s how you can do it:
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Setup the Reaction: Choose a chemical reaction that can be performed in a closed container (such as vinegar reacting with baking soda in a sealed bag or bottle).
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Measure Initial Mass: Before starting the reaction, measure the total mass of the reactants in the sealed container.
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Conduct the Reaction: Initiate the chemical reaction while keeping the container sealed to prevent any gases from escaping.
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Measure Final Mass: After the reaction has completed, measure the mass of the sealed container again.
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Compare Masses: Compare the initial and final mass measurements. According to the law of conservation of mass, the mass should remain constant before and after the reaction, demonstrating that matter is conserved during the chemical change.
This procedure effectively shows that, in a closed system, matter is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction.
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