Question detail
Describe how the law of conservation of mass applies to a reaction where a metal reacts with oxygen to form a metal oxide.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
Question
Describe how the law of conservation of mass applies to a reaction where a metal reacts with oxygen to form a metal oxide.
Answer
The law of conservation of mass states that no atoms are lost or made during a chemical reaction. In the reaction of a metal with oxygen, the total mass of the reactants (the metal and oxygen) equals the total mass of the product (the metal oxide). This means that all atoms present in the reactants are accounted for in the products.
Explanation
This question assesses the student's ability to articulate the principle of conservation of mass in the context of a specific chemical reaction. It encourages students to connect theoretical concepts with practical examples.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Mass Increase
Students often think that the mass of a metal oxide is greater than the mass of the metal because the metal gains weight during the reaction.
Explain that the increase in mass is due to the oxygen from the air combining with the metal, which adds to the total mass of the product.
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