The Law of Conservation
The Law of Conservation of Matter states that atoms cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction, meaning the total mass of the products always equals the total mass of the reactants. In Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, Chapter 3: Accounting for Atoms, students apply this fundamental law to verify chemical reactions and identify missing products.
Key Concepts
The universe follows a strict rule: The Law of Conservation of Matter . This law states that atoms cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction.
This means the total mass of the system remains constant from start to finish. The mass of the products always equals the mass of the reactants.
Common Questions
What is the Law of Conservation of Matter?
The Law of Conservation of Matter states that atoms cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. The total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
Why does mass stay constant in a chemical reaction?
Mass stays constant because atoms are neither created nor destroyed—they are only rearranged. The same atoms that start in the reactants end up in the products, just in different groupings.
How does the Law of Conservation of Matter help scientists?
The law helps scientists account for all atoms in a reaction. If the products seem to have less mass than the reactants, it means a product has been overlooked—often a gas or dissolved substance.
Where is the Law of Conservation covered in Amplify Science Grade 7?
The Law of Conservation of Matter is covered in Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, Chapter 3: Accounting for Atoms.