Chapter 15, Problem 15STP

To determine

The experiment that proves the law of conservation of mass in chemical change.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Law of conservation of mass states that the mass of reactant before chemical change is equal to the mass of the product after chemical change.

The burning of wood confirms the law of conservation of mass because the mass of wood before burning is equal to the mass of carbon dioxide, water and ash after burning. The mass of the wood remain constant during chemical change but the properties of the wood and ash becomes different. The wood comes in powder form and water and carbon dioxide in the gas form.

Conclusion:

Thus, the burning of the wood confirms the law of conservation of mass.