Question detail
How can the particle model explain mass changes when a gas is involved in a reaction?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
Question
- A. Particles are lost during the reaction
- B. Particles gain energy and increase mass
- C. Gas particles escape, reducing the total number of particles
- D. The mass of particles remains constant
Answer
Gas particles escape, reducing the total number of particles
Explanation
The particle model shows that when gas particles escape, the total number of particles in the system decreases, leading to a mass loss.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Mass Change
Students often think that mass is lost when a gas escapes during a reaction, rather than understanding that the total mass remains constant.
To fix this, students should remember that the law of conservation of mass states that no atoms are lost or created, and they should consider the mass of the gas that escapes as part of the total mass of the system. Keep the correction anchored to Mass changes when a reactant or product is a gas; check formula, substitution, calculation, final answer, and unit where relevant.
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