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Q: Use the law of conservation of mass to explain why chemical equation must be balanced?
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Explain how a balanced equation demonstrates the law of mass?

A balanced equation specifies the same total number(s) of each type of atom present in both the reactants (left side of the equation) and the products (right side of the equation.) The average mass of each type of atom is constant in most circumstances*, so that the same numbers of the same types of atoms will constitute the same mass on each side of the equation, demonstrating the law of conservation of mass. __________________________________ *When only a very small number of atoms are considered, the mass may vary due to the existence of isotopes. However, even then, the isotopic composition of the actual atoms involved in the reaction is not changed by chemical reaction, so that the mass balance still is preserved.


Explain what is meant by a chemical equation being balanced?

Placing coefficients in front of compounds or elements or poly-atomic ions to balance the number of atoms of different elements between the reactants side and the products side. Ex. CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O


Explain what a coefficient in a balanced chemical equation represents?

The coefficients in a chemical equation represent the amount of moles of each substance involved in the reaction. On a smaller level, it also represents the amount of particles that have to collide or are produced in the reaction. Consider the following example: CH4(g) + 2O2(g) (arrow) 2H2O(l) + CO2(g) The coefficent behind oxygen in the reactants means that 2 molecules of oxygen have to collide with 1 molecules of methane to react. The coefficients in the products mean that this reaction produces 2 molecules of water and 1 molecule of carbon dioxide.


How does Dalton atomic theory explain the law of conservation of mass?

Dalton doesn't explain the law of conservation of mass.


How do you use law of conservation of mass to explain why a rusty nail weighs maore than a original nail?

It weighs more because the iron reacts with oxygen in the air to form oxides which are solids which appear to grow on the iron as more oxygen comes along. I wouldn't call it conservation of mass except in the sense that no mass is destroyed or created, but that alone doesn't explain the chemical reaction.

Related questions

What law of chemical change is obeyed when a chemical equation is balanced and explain?

conservation of mass law, no matter is ever created or destroyed (except for nuclear fusion)


As the equation is written which element is not in balance Explain?

An equation written may or may not be balanced. It is balanced if the number of elements on both sides of the arrow, that is before and after the reaction, is equal. Sometimes the number of elements is not the same on both sides of the arrow, then we need to balance the equation. This is done in accordance to the law of conservation of mass which states that the mass of a substance does not get destroyed or created due to a chemical reaction.


Briefly explain what a balanced equation describes.?

Yes


What is a purpose of a chemical equation?

A chemical equation lets humans explain a chemical reaction. When the same reaction occurs repeatedly, the equation serves to remind us of what happened in the reaction.


What does a word equation or a chemical reaction tell you?

I think that a chemical equation tells a chemist that substances you start with and substances you end with


What is the purpose of a equated?

A chemical equation lets humans explain a chemical reaction. When the same reaction occurs repeatedly, the equation serves to remind us of what happened in the reaction.


Explain how a balanced equation demonstrates the law of mass?

A balanced equation specifies the same total number(s) of each type of atom present in both the reactants (left side of the equation) and the products (right side of the equation.) The average mass of each type of atom is constant in most circumstances*, so that the same numbers of the same types of atoms will constitute the same mass on each side of the equation, demonstrating the law of conservation of mass. __________________________________ *When only a very small number of atoms are considered, the mass may vary due to the existence of isotopes. However, even then, the isotopic composition of the actual atoms involved in the reaction is not changed by chemical reaction, so that the mass balance still is preserved.


Why does a chemical equation have to be balanced?

Balancing Chemical Equations is absolutely essential if you want to determine quantities of reactants or products. An unbalanced chemical equation gives only the identify of the beginning reactants and the final products using the appropriate formulas as well as the conditions of temperature, physical state, and pressure conditions under which the reaction is to operate under. However an unbalanced equation can say nothing about the quantities involved until the equation has been balanced. A balanced equation assures that the conservation law of matter is obeyed. The total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products. A balanced equation tells you the proportional quantities of each substance involved.


Explain what is meant by a chemical equation being balanced?

Placing coefficients in front of compounds or elements or poly-atomic ions to balance the number of atoms of different elements between the reactants side and the products side. Ex. CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O


What happens to mass during chemical and physical changes. explain?

Law of Conservation of Mass: mass can not be created or destroyed, it can only be changed (transformed).


How does the idea of atoms explain the priciple of conservation of matter?

The idea of atoms explains the conservation of matter. In chemical reactions, the number of atoms stays the same no matter how they are arranged. So, their total mass stays the same.


Explain what a coefficient in a balanced chemical equation represents?

The coefficients in a chemical equation represent the amount of moles of each substance involved in the reaction. On a smaller level, it also represents the amount of particles that have to collide or are produced in the reaction. Consider the following example: CH4(g) + 2O2(g) (arrow) 2H2O(l) + CO2(g) The coefficent behind oxygen in the reactants means that 2 molecules of oxygen have to collide with 1 molecules of methane to react. The coefficients in the products mean that this reaction produces 2 molecules of water and 1 molecule of carbon dioxide.