Does The Following Equation Follow The Law Of Conservation Of Mass?${ 4 \rightarrow Na_2SO_4 + H_2O }$
The law of conservation of mass is a fundamental principle in chemistry that states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products. In this article, we will examine the given equation and determine whether it follows the law of conservation of mass.
Understanding the Law of Conservation of Mass
The law of conservation of mass is a fundamental concept in chemistry that is based on the idea that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products. The law of conservation of mass is often expressed mathematically as:
m (reactants) = m (products)
where m is the mass of the reactants and products.
The Given Equation
The given equation is:
This equation represents a chemical reaction where sodium (Na) and sulfur (S) react with oxygen (O) to form sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and water (H2O).
Breaking Down the Equation
To determine whether the equation follows the law of conservation of mass, we need to break down the reactants and products into their individual elements.
Reactants:
- Sodium (Na)
- Sulfur (S)
- Oxygen (O)
Products:
- Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4)
- Water (H2O)
Calculating the Mass of the Reactants
To calculate the mass of the reactants, we need to know the atomic masses of the individual elements. The atomic masses of the elements are:
- Sodium (Na): 22.99 g/mol
- Sulfur (S): 32.07 g/mol
- Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol
The mass of the reactants can be calculated as follows:
m (reactants) = m (Na) + m (S) + m (O) = 22.99 g/mol + 32.07 g/mol + 16.00 g/mol = 71.06 g/mol
Calculating the Mass of the Products
To calculate the mass of the products, we need to know the molecular masses of the individual compounds. The molecular masses of the compounds are:
- Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4): 142.04 g/mol
- Water (H2O): 18.02 g/mol
The mass of the products can be calculated as follows:
m (products) = m (Na2SO4) + m (H2O) = 142.04 g/mol + 18.02 g/mol = 160.06 g/mol
Does the Equation Follow the Law of Conservation of Mass?
To determine whether the equation follows the law of conservation of mass, we need to compare the mass of the reactants with the mass of the products.
m (reactants) = 71.06 g/mol m (products) = 160.06 g/mol
Since the mass of the reactants (71.06 g/mol) is not equal to the mass of the products (160.06 g/mol), the equation does not follow the law of conservation of mass.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the given equation does not follow the law of conservation of mass. The mass of the reactants is not equal to the mass of the products, which means that matter is being created or destroyed in the chemical reaction. This is a violation of the law of conservation of mass, which is a fundamental principle in chemistry.
Why Does the Equation Not Follow the Law of Conservation of Mass?
There are several reasons why the equation does not follow the law of conservation of mass. One reason is that the equation is not balanced, meaning that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is not equal to the number of atoms of each element on the product side. Another reason is that the equation is not a simple chemical reaction, but rather a complex reaction that involves multiple steps and intermediate compounds.
Balancing the Equation
To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides. The balanced equation is:
This balanced equation follows the law of conservation of mass, as the mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products.
Conclusion
In our previous article, we examined the given equation and determined that it does not follow the law of conservation of mass. However, we also showed that by balancing the equation, we can create a new equation that follows the law of conservation of mass. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the law of conservation of mass and chemical equations.
Q: What is the law of conservation of mass?
A: The law of conservation of mass is a fundamental principle in chemistry that states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.
Q: Why is the law of conservation of mass important?
A: The law of conservation of mass is important because it helps us to understand the fundamental principles of chemistry. It ensures that chemical reactions are balanced and that matter is not created or destroyed in the process.
Q: How do I know if a chemical equation follows the law of conservation of mass?
A: To determine if a chemical equation follows the law of conservation of mass, you need to compare the mass of the reactants with the mass of the products. If the mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products, then the equation follows the law of conservation of mass.
Q: What happens if a chemical equation does not follow the law of conservation of mass?
A: If a chemical equation does not follow the law of conservation of mass, then matter is being created or destroyed in the process. This is a violation of the law of conservation of mass and is not allowed in chemistry.
Q: How do I balance a chemical equation?
A: To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides. You can use the following steps to balance a chemical equation:
- Write the unbalanced equation.
- Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
- Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides.
- Check that the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
Q: What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced chemical equation?
A: A balanced chemical equation is one in which the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. An unbalanced chemical equation is one in which the number of atoms of each element is not equal on both sides of the equation.
Q: Why is it important to balance chemical equations?
A: It is important to balance chemical equations because it ensures that the law of conservation of mass is followed. Balancing chemical equations also helps to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation, which is a fundamental principle of chemistry.
Q: Can a chemical equation be balanced in more than one way?
A: Yes, a chemical equation can be balanced in more than one way. However, there is only one unique way to balance a chemical equation, and that is the way that follows the law of conservation of mass.
Q: How do I know if a balanced chemical equation is correct?
A: To determine if a balanced chemical equation is correct, you need to check that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. You can also use the following steps to check if a balanced chemical equation is correct:
- Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
- Check that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.
- Check that the equation follows the law of conservation of mass.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the law of conservation of mass is a fundamental principle in chemistry that states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Balancing chemical equations is an important step in ensuring that the law of conservation of mass is followed. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can determine if a chemical equation follows the law of conservation of mass and balance it if necessary.