Mass Conservation in Chemical Reactions

In summary, mass is conserved in chemical reactions and the energy differences are a result of electrons being shared by different atoms. The change in mass can be treated as mass conservation only.
  • #1
WhiteRhasta
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I realize that to calculate heat being released and contained during nuclear reaction you must understand the difference between its product mass and reactant mass by using *E=mc2.* My Question pertains to the heat being released during a chemical reaction... Is Mass conserved in this chemical reaction? , and if so where is its energy coming from?
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

WhiteRhasta said:
Is Mass conserved in this chemical reaction? , and if so where is its energy coming from?

Hi WhiteRhasta ! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Mass is conserved in chemical reactions.

The energy differences result from the electrons being "shared" by different atoms, and therefore being in orbits with different energy levels …

but all the energies are electromagnetic. :smile:
 
  • #3
Mass _and_ energy are conserved together. So in the case of exothermical chemical reaction mass of products (after cooling) will be smaller then mass of reactants. However, change in the mass is so small, that we can safely treat it as if it is mass conservation only.
 
  • #4
Thanks tiny - tim, and Borek very much for that. That will surely assist me with an experiment I am conducting... Its nice to be a part of the physics community...
 

1. What is mass conservation in chemical reactions?

Mass conservation in chemical reactions refers to the principle that mass cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products.

2. How is mass conserved in a chemical reaction?

In a chemical reaction, the atoms of the reactants rearrange to form new products. This means that the number of each type of atom remains the same on both sides of the reaction, ensuring that mass is conserved.

3. Can mass be lost or gained during a chemical reaction?

No, according to the law of conservation of mass, mass cannot be lost or gained during a chemical reaction. Any apparent changes in mass can be attributed to measurement error or the release of gases into the surrounding environment.

4. How is mass conservation related to the concept of stoichiometry?

Stoichiometry is the study of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Mass conservation is a fundamental part of stoichiometry, as it dictates that the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products.

5. What are some real-world applications of mass conservation in chemical reactions?

Mass conservation is a crucial concept in industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental engineering. It is also important in understanding natural processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and digestion.

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