Question

boris combines zinc (zn) and a copper(ii) sulfate solution (cuso4) to produce a zinc sulfate solution (znso4) and copper (cu), as shown in the equation. zn + cuso4 → znso4 + cu before the reaction, he records the mass in grams (g) of the zinc and copper(ii) sulfate solution. afterwards, he records the mass of the zinc sulfate solution and copper produced by the reaction. the table shows his data. substances mass (g) zn and cuso4 43 znso4 and cu 43 boris repeats the experiment, and this time records 38 g for the mass of the zinc and copper(ii) sulfate solution before the experiment. what will he most likely record for the mass of the zinc sulfate solution and copper after his second experiment, and why? a. he will record 25 g, because according to the law of conservation of matter, gases are always lost in a chemical reaction. b. he will record 30 g, because according to the law of conservation of matter, less matter is made in a chemical reaction. c. he will record 38 g, because according to the law of conservation of matter, matter can neither be created nor destroyed. d. he will record 44 g, because according to the law of conservation of matter, more matter is made in a chemical reaction.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of matter states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. So the total mass before the reaction should equal the total mass after the reaction. Since the mass of reactants (zinc and copper(II) sulfate solution) is 38 g before the second - experiment, the mass of products (zinc sulfate solution and copper) after the reaction should also be 38 g.

Answer:

C. He will record 38 g, because according to the law of conservation of matter, matter can neither be created nor destroyed.