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Key Concepts in Chemistry

Conservation of mass in closed and open systems

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Overview

The law of conservation of mass and why it holds, how mass changes in closed and open systems when a precipitate forms, a carbonate decomposes, magnesium burns or a candle burns, and calculating the mass of gas released.

What you need to know

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Key term

State the law of conservation of mass.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State the law of conservation of mass.

    Model answer

    The total mass of the products of a reaction equals the total mass of the reactants.

  2. 2

    Explain why mass is conserved in every chemical reaction.

    Model answer

    The same atoms are present before and after the reaction, simply rearranged into different substances.

  3. 3

    Two solutions are mixed in a stoppered flask and a precipitate forms. What happens to the total mass?

    Model answer

    It stays the same, because nothing can enter or leave the closed flask.

  4. 4

    Calcium carbonate is heated in an open crucible and gives off carbon dioxide. Explain what happens to the mass of the solid.

    Model answer

    It falls, because the carbon dioxide produced escapes into the air.

  5. 5

    Explain why the mass of the solid increases when magnesium is burned in an open crucible.

    Model answer

    Oxygen from the air combines with the magnesium and its mass is added to the solid product.

  6. 6

    How could the apparent loss of mass when a metal carbonate is heated be prevented?

    Model answer

    Carry out the reaction in a sealed container so the gas produced cannot escape.

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Key Concepts in Chemistry
States of Matter and Mixtures
Chemical Changes
Extracting Metals and Equilibria

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A holds the acid.
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AChlorine is a pale green gas at room temperature.
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CIodine is a dark grey solid at room temperature.

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