5.3 g of sodium carbonate and 6.0 g of acetic acid react to produce 2.2 g of carbon dioxide, 0.9 g of water, and 8.2 g of sodium acetate. Verify whether the law of conservation of mass is valid.
Yes, the Law of Conservation of Mass is valid because the total mass of reactants is equal to the total mass of products.
Explanation
Following the method demonstrated in Example 9.1 of the textbook, we calculate the total mass of the reactants and the total mass of the products separately. The Law of Conservation of Mass states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, meaning the total mass remains the same before and after the reaction. Since the calculated mass of reactants (11.3 g) exactly equals the mass of products (11.3 g), the law is verified.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Calculate the total mass of reactants = Mass of sodium carbonate + Mass of acetic acid = 5.3 g + 6.0 g = 11.3 g
Step 2: Calculate the total mass of products = Mass of carbon dioxide + Mass of water + Mass of sodium acetate = 2.2 g + 0.9 g + 8.2 g = 11.3 g
Step 3: Compare the masses = Total mass of reactants (11.3 g) = Total mass of products (11.3 g). Hence, the Law of Conservation of Mass is valid.