General Chemistry 1

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

BLOCK NAMES GROUP #

LABORATORY
DATE
SCHEDULE

ATOMIC LAWS
Law of Conservation of Mass

INTRODUCTION
The idea of atoms dates back to the time of Democritus who first coined the term from the Greek
word “atomos”- meaning indivisible. However, the idea was not supported by scientific studies until the
time of John Dalton. He proposed 5 postulates regarding atoms. These postulates are relevant to the
later developed Atomic Theories by Joseph Proust. One of the Atomic Theories is the Law of
Conservation of Mass. This is the focus of this activity.

OBJECTIVES
1. To prove that mass is conserved after chemical reactions.
2. To explain why the Law of Conservation of Mass is not observed in some circumstances.
3. To relate the Atomic Laws with the five Postulates of John Dalton.

MATERIALS
 Baking soda  Flask or mineral water bottle
 Vinegar  Weighing scale
 Balloons  50 ml Graduated cylinder

PROCEDURES
1. Weigh the dry empty water containers individually. Record the data gathered.
2. Pour 50 ml of vinegar in each water bottle and weigh.
3. Weigh 25g of baking soda.
4. For trial 1, carefully add the measured amount of baking soda to one of the containers with
vinegar.
5. Wait until reaction is complete then weigh the end product.
6. For trial 2, weigh a balloon and record.
7. Weigh another 25g of baking soda.
8. Put the baking soda inside the weighed balloon. Avoid spilling any amount.
9. Cover the mouth of a container with vinegar using the balloon with baking soda. NOTE: Do not
let the baking soda mix with the vinegar yet.
10. When the mouth of the container is fully covered, let the baking soda mix with the vinegar and
wait until the reaction is completed.
11. Weigh the set-up.
12. Repeat procedures 6-11 for trials 3 and 4.

DATA AND OBSERVATIONS

Mass per trial

Mass recorded Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

1. Empty container

2. Container + 50 ml vinegar

3. 50 ml vinegar

4. Balloon

5. Containers + End products

6. End products only

Law of Conservation of Mass

GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. What does the Law of Conservation of Mass state? In which trial/s was/were the Law of
Conservation of Mass demonstrated? How?
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2. In what trial/s was the Law of Conservation of Mass not observed? Why?
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3. Aside from the Law of Conservation of Mass, what are other Atomic Laws? Briefly
explain each.
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4. Relate the three Atomic Laws to Dalton’s five Postulates.
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Conclusion:
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REFERENCES (cite properly):

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Law of Conservation of Mass