Which statement best describes balancing equations and the law of conservation of mass?

A. There are more atoms in the reactants than in the products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and in the products.
B. The number of atoms is the same in the reactants and in the products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and in the products.
C. There are fewer atoms in the reactants than in the products, and the total mass is less in the reactants than in the products.
D. There are more atoms in the reactants than in the products, and the total mass is higher in the reactants than in the products.

The correct statement is that the number of atoms is the same in the reactants and products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and products. This reflects the law of conservation of mass and the principles of balancing chemical equations. ​
Explanation

Understanding the Problem The question is about understanding the principles behind balancing chemical equations and how they relate to the law of conservation of mass. The law of conservation of mass is a fundamental concept in chemistry that states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Balancing chemical equations is a way to ensure that this law is upheld.

Balancing Equations and Conservation of Mass When we balance a chemical equation, we make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation (reactants and products). This is because atoms are not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; they are simply rearranged. If the number of atoms is the same on both sides, then the total mass must also be the same, since each atom has a specific mass.

Analyzing the Statements Now, let's analyze the given statements:



Statement 1: There are more atoms in the reactants than in the products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and in the products.
Statement 2: The number of atoms is the same in the reactants and in the products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and in the products.
Statement 3: There are fewer atoms in the reactants than in the products, and the total mass is less in the reactants than in the products.
Statement 4: There are more atoms in the reactants than in the products, and the total mass is higher in the reactants than in the products.


Identifying the Correct Statement Based on our understanding of balancing equations and the law of conservation of mass, the correct statement is:


The number of atoms is the same in the reactants and in the products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and in the products.

This statement accurately reflects that balancing equations ensures the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides, and as a result, the total mass is conserved.
Examples
Balancing chemical equations is crucial in various real-world applications, such as calculating the amount of reactants needed for a chemical reaction or determining the yield of a product. For example, in the Haber-Bosch process, which is used to produce ammonia for fertilizers, a balanced equation is essential to optimize the reaction conditions and maximize ammonia production. Similarly, in combustion reactions, balancing equations helps to determine the amount of oxygen needed to completely burn a fuel, minimizing the production of harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide.

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-08

The correct answer is B: The number of atoms is the same in the reactants and in the products, and the total mass is the same in the reactants and in the products. This reflects the law of conservation of mass which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Balancing equations ensures that the atom count and mass are conserved during chemical reactions.
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Answered by Anonymous | 2025-07-26