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Science 10
Quarter 4 - Module 3

The Law of Conservation of Mass in a

Chemical Reaction

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 Target
Change in appearance, production of heat or light, formation of a new gas, liquid,
or solid – these are just some of the common applications of chemical reactions.
Chemical reactions allow living things (cell, animals, people, insects) to grow,
develop, reproduce, and adapt.

In Grade 9, you have learned about chemical bonding. Chemical bonds hold the
atoms together in compounds. The bonds may be ionic, covalent or metallic. You
also learned that forming chemical bonds between atoms lead to a formation of new
substances.

While taking your shower, have you ever wondered how the soap is made? Have
you ever thought that regardless of color, shape and brand its main function is to
take off dirt from the body?

These are just examples of chemical changes that we find in our environment.
These changes have been found to comply with several basic laws of nature. This
learning material will enable you to show understanding of the law of conservation
of mass

After going through this learning material, you are expected to attain the
following objectives:
1. Apply the principle of conservation of mass to chemical reactions
(S10MTIVe-g-23); and
2. Evaluate chemical equations that conform with the law of conservation of
mass.

Before going on, let us check how much you know about this topic. Answer
the pretest in a separate sheet of paper.
Pre-Test
Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. If all the reactants in a chemical reaction are completely used, which of the
following statements accurately describes the relationship between the
reactants and the products?
A. The products must have a different physical state than the reactants.
B. The total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the
products.
C. The reactants must contain more complex molecules than the products
do.
D. The density of the reactants must equal the density of the products.
2. Which of these would support the idea that mass is conserved in a reaction
that produces a gas as a product?
A. Heating the reactants to ensure the reaction occurs in a gaseous state.
B. Mixing the reactants and measuring their total mass.
C. Subtracting the mass of the gas from the mass of the solid and liquid
products.
D. Trapping the gas and measuring its mass.
3. Given the chemical equation: H2 + O2 H2O are mass of the
reactant equal to the mass of the product?
A. No B. Maybe C. Undetermined D. Yes
4. In the chemical equation H2 + O2 H2O what is the total
mass of the reactant?

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 A. 17g B. 34g C. 68g D. 136g

5. Applying the Law of Conservation of Mass, what should be the total mass of
the product in the chemical equation in number 4?
A. 17g B. 34g C. 68g D. 136g
6. Which of the following best explains the Law of Conservation of Mass?
A. The mass is conserved in a chemical reaction.
B. The total mass of the reactant is equal to the total mass of the products.
C. No new atoms are created or destroyed.
D. All statements best explain the Law of Conservation of Mass.
7. You are making jello. After mixing the ingredients you pour the liquid in a
bowl, cover it tightly, and place it in the fridge. In a short time, it becomes a
solid. The mass of the solid jello is _____.
A. greater than the mass of the liquid C. less than the mass of the liquid
B. the same as the mass of the liquid D. there is no way to tell
8. Jan Lloyd mixes in a large bowl 500 g of flour with 25 g of water and 50 g of
butter to make dough. He then takes out 10 g to test. How much dough is
left in his bowl?
A. 585 g B. 575 g C. 565 g D. 560 g
9. To make a cup of tea you place 1 cup of water in a pot and bring it to boil.
After you have boiled the water you have _____ of water left.
A. less than a cup C. more than a cup
B. a cup D. there is no way to tell
10.Liquid 1 and Liquid 2 react to produce a solid and a gas. Which of the
following expressions correctly shows how to determine the mass of the gas?
A. (mass of Liquid 1 + mass of Liquid 2) − (mass of solid)
B. (mass of Liquid 1 + mass of Liquid 2) + (mass of solid)
C. (mass of Liquid 1 x mass of Liquid 2) ÷ (mass of solid)
D. (mass of Liquid 1 − mass of Liquid 2) ÷ (mass of solid)
11.The chemical equation shows CaCO3 being heated. Which of these
statements best describes the mass of the products if 100 g of CaCO 3 is
heated?
A. The difference in the products’ masses is equal to the mass of the CaCO 3.
B. The sum of the products’ masses is less than the mass of the CaCO3.
C. The mass of each product is equal to the mass of the CaCO3.
D. The sum of the products’ masses equals the mass of the CaCO 3.
12.Which chemical equation supports the law of conservation of mass?
A. 2H2O(l) → H2 (g) + O2 (g)
B. Zn(s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
C. Al4C3(s) + H2O(l) → CH4(g) + Al (OH)3(s)
D. CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g) → CO2 (g) + 2H2O(g)
13.The mass of a rusty bicycle is found to be slightly greater than the mass of
the same bicycle before it rusted. The change in mass indicates that the
rusting process _____.
A. is a physical change
B. involves an energy-to-matter conversion
C. decreases the density of the metal
D. involves metal bonding with other atoms
14.Imagine you have a 500 g bar of chocolate that you melt. After melting you
measure the mass of the melted chocolate. The scale measures _____.
A. less than 500g C. 500g
B. more than 500g D. it is impossible to know
15.What scientific principle is reflected in a balanced equation?

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 A. The law of conservation of atoms C. The law of definite proportions
B. The law of conservation of mass D. The law of multiple proportions

Jumpstart
Activity 1: Paper Clip Reaction Model

Materials: 1 box of different colored paper clips

Periodic table
Procedures
1. Sort out your paper clips according to color. Designate a color for each
element.
Element Color of paper Clip
Hydrogen (H) White
Nitrogen (N) Blue
Oxygen (O) Red
2. By connecting paper clips together (follow the color coding in number (1),
make model representations for these molecules:
a. O2, H2, H2O Prepare at least 3 sets of each molecule as shown in the
figure below.

Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2 (Adapted from DepEd Science 10

Learner’s Manual p. 416)

b. N2, H2, NH3 Prepare at least 4 sets of each molecule

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2
(Adapted from DepEd Science 10 Learner’s Manual p. 416)

3. You will be working on balancing 2 chemical equations:

a. H2 + O2 → H2O
b. N2 + H2 → NH3
4. Starting with the first equation:
a. Break up one set of O2 since H2O has only 1 Oxygen.
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 b. Connect this single O atom to the one set of H2 you have prepared to form
1 set of H2O
c. Get another set of H2 and connect to the single O atom left to form a new
set of H2O.
Guide Questions
1. How many set/s of H2 have you used? ______
2. How many set/s of O2 have you used? ______
3. How many set/s of H2O have you created? ______
These number of set/s represent coefficient which is the whole number
placed before the formula of the reactants and products
4. Write the corresponding coefficients in the chemical equation

___ H2 + ___ O2 → ___ H2O

Figure 3
(Adapted from DepEd Science 10 Learner’s Manual p. 416)

NOTE: If there is only one set, we do not write 1 anymore.

5. Do the same with the second equation

____N2 + ____ H2 → ____ NH3

NOTE: You can use more than 2 sets.

Guide Questions
5. How many set/s of N2 have you used? ______
6. How many set/s of H2 have you used? ______
7. How many set/s of NH3 have you created? ______
8. Write the corresponding coefficients in the chemical equation.
____N2 + ____ H2 → ____ NH3

Discover
In the late eighteenth century, Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist,
recognized the importance of accurate measurements. He extensively studied and
explained the nature of combustion. He found out that combustion involved
reaction with oxygen. His experiments, in which he carefully weighed the reactants
and products of various reactions, suggested that mass is neither created nor
destroyed. Lavoisier’s discovery of this law of conservation of mass was the
basis for the development in chemistry in the nineteenth century.

A chemical change involves reorganization of the atoms in one or more

substances. The law of conservation of mass requires that there must be
exactly as many atoms among the combined products of a chemical reaction
as in its combined reactants. To understand this better, let us define words that
will be used in this lesson. Reactants are the starting material in a chemical
reaction. Products are the substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction. In a
chemical equation, reactants are found on the left side and the products are on the
right side. A chemical reaction can therefore be summarized as

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 Reactants → Products

For example, when the methane (CH4) in natural gas combines with oxygen
(O2) in the air and burns, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are formed.

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)

The reactants in this reaction are methane and oxygen gas. The products are carbon
dioxide and water.

A balanced equation conforms to the law of conservation of mass. Let us check if

the number of atoms of each kind on the left side of the reaction is equal to the
number of atoms of each kind on the right side of the equation.

There is 1 atom of carbon on the left side and 1 atom of carbon on the right side.

There are 4 atoms of hydrogen on the left side. On the right side, there are 2 atoms
of hydrogen that is multiplied by the coefficient 2 found on the left side of H 2O.

On the left side of the equation, there are 2 atoms of oxygen multiplied by the
coefficient 2 found on the left side of O 2. On the right side, there are two atoms of
oxygen in CO2 and 1 atom of oxygen in H2O multiplied by the coefficient 2 found on
the left side of H2O.

To get a clearer view of the number of atoms of each kind, look at the table below:
Kind of Atom Number of Atom on Left side Number of Atom Right side
C 1 1
H 4 2x2=4
O 2x2=4 2 + 1(2) = 4

Thus, the balanced equation above conforms to the law of conservation of mass.
Let us have another example. When aluminum and barium oxide are heated
together, a vigorous reaction begins, and elemental barium and aluminum oxide,
Al2O3, are formed. The equation is:

2Al(l) + 3BaO(s) → Al2O3(s) + 3Ba(l)

a. Identify the reactants and products.

b. Check the equation if it conforms with the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Answer
a. The reactants are Al and BaO. The products are Al2O3 and Ba

Kind of Atom Number of Atom on Left side Number of Atom Right side
Al 1x2=2 2
Ba 1x3=3 1x3=3
O 1x3=3 3

*It conforms with the Law of Conservation of Mass.

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Practice Activity 1

Identify the reactants and products of the reaction. Check the equation if it
conforms with the Law of Conservation of Mass.

1. Cl2(g) + 2 KBr(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + Br2(l)

2. 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(s) + H2(g)

3. K2CrO4(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Ag2CrO4(s) + KNO3(aq)

Another application of the Law of Conservation of Mass in chemical

reactions is to predict the mass of the products when the mass of the
reactants is known. If the Law of Conservation of Mass holds, the total mass of
reactants must equal the total mass of the products. Therefore,

Total mass reacted = Total mass produced

Going back to our first example, if 46.0 g of methane reacts with 96.0 g of oxygen
to produce 54.0 g water, how much carbon dioxide is produced?

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)

46.0 g + 96.0 g = Carbon dioxide + 54.0 g

142.0 g - 54.0 g = 88.0 g carbon dioxide

Practice Activity 2
In the reaction shown below:
2Al(l) + 3BaO(s) → Al2O3(s) + 3Ba
65.0 g of Aluminum reacted with 35.0 g of Barium oxide to produce aluminum
oxide and barium. If 84.0 g of aluminum oxide is produced, how much barium is
produced?

Explore

Activity 2: Wait, Weight, and Tell Me!

Directions: Examine the data for each of the following combustion experiments
and answer the questions based on analysis of the data.
EXPERIMENT 1

Reactant/s Product/s

Magnesium + Oxygen ------> Magnesium Oxide

48.6 g + 32.0 g -----> 80.6 g

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 a. What is the mass of each reactant? ____________________
b. What is the mass of the product? ____________________
c. What is the sum of the mass of the reactants? ____________________
d. Does this experimental data support the Law of Conservation of Mass?
Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

EXPERIMENT 2

Reactant/s Product/s

Magnesium + Oxygen ------> Magnesium Oxide

_____ g + 16.0 g -----> 40.3 g

Based on the Law of Conservation of Mass, predict the minimum amount of

magnesium that will react with all 16.0 g of oxygen to produce 40.3 g of
magnesium oxide.

EXPERIMENT 3

Reactant/s Product/s

Magnesium + Oxygen ------> Magnesium Oxide

12.2 g + 8.0 g -----> _____ g

Assuming that magnesium and oxygen will react completely with one another,
predict the mass of magnesium oxide that will be produced.

EXPERIMENT 4

Reactant/s Product/s

Magnesium + Oxygen ------> Magnesium Oxide + Oxygen

48.6 g + 50.0 g -----> 80.6 g + _____ g

Predict the mass of oxygen that will be left over after the reaction of 48.6 g of
magnesium with 50.0 g of oxygen.

Activity 3: My Reactants are Equal with My Products

Directions: Use the Law of Conservation of Mass to fill – in the missing information
in the table below.

Reactants Products

CH4 O2 CO2 H20

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 12.2g 14g _____ 20.0g

HgO Hg O2
23.6g _____ 13.0g

Li O2 Li2O
_____ 5.7g 24.6g

C3H6 O2 CO2 H2O

18.9g 11.1g _____ 15.6g

Al (OH)3 Al2O3 H2O

_____ 21.8g 9.7g

Deepen
Directions: Use the model below to answer the
following questions.

https://www.nuclear-power.net/laws-of-conservation/law-of-conservation-
ofmatter/

1. What are the reactants?

2. How many atoms of each element are preset in the reactant?

Carbon ______
Hydrogen ______
Oxygen ______

3. What is the total mass of the reactants? _______________

4. What are the products?

5. How many atoms of each element are present in the products?

Carbon ______

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 Hydrogen ______
Oxygen ______

6. What is the total mass of the products? _________________

7. Explain how the diagram illustrate the Law of Conservation of Mass.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Pre-test
Gauge
1.b 2. d 3. a 4. b 5. b 6. d 7. b. 8. c 9.a 10. a11.d 12. d13.
d14.c 15.b
Part A. Answer the following questions.
Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper.

1. You have a chemical in a sealed glass container filled with air. The system
has a mass of 250.0 g. The chemical is ignited by means of a magnifying
glass focusing sunlight on the reactant. After the chemical is completely
burned, what is the mass of the system?

2. Check the following reactions if it conforms with the Law of Conservation of

Mass.
a. N2O5(g) → N2O4(g) + O2(g)

b. 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)

c. H3PO4(aq) + 3NH3(aq) → (NH4)3PO4(aq)

3. Identify the reactants and products in no. 2.

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Part B. Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the best
answer.

1. If all the reactants in a chemical reaction are completely used, which of the
following statements accurately describes the relationship between the
reactants and the products?
A. The products must have a different physical state than the reactants.
B. The total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the
products.
C. The reactants must contain more complex molecules than the products
do.
D. The density of the reactants must equal the density of the products.
2. Which of these would support the idea that mass is conserved in a reaction
that produces a gas as a product?
A. Heating the reactants to ensure the reaction occurs in a gaseous state.
B. Mixing the reactants and measuring their total mass.
C. Subtracting the mass of the gas from the mass of the solid and liquid
products.
D. Trapping the gas and measuring its mass.

3. Given the chemical equation: H2 + O2 H 2O are mass of

the reactant equal to the mass of the product?
A. No B. Maybe C. Undetermined D. Yes
4. In the chemical equation H2 + O2 H2O what is the total
mass of the reactant?
A. 17g B. 34g C. 68g D. 136g
5. Applying the Law of Conservation of Mass, what should be the total mass of
the product in the chemical equation in number 4?
A. 17g B. 34g C. 68g D. 136g
6. Which of the following best explains the Law of Conservation of Mass?
A. The mass is conserved in a chemical reaction.
B. The total mass of the reactant is equal to the total mass of the products.
C. No new atoms are created or destroyed.
D. All statements best explain the Law of Conservation of Mass.
7. You are making jello. After mixing the ingredients you pour the liquid in a
bowl, cover it tightly, and place it in the fridge. In a short time, it becomes a
solid. The mass of the solid jello is _____.
A. greater than the mass of the liquid
B. the same as the mass of the liquid
C. less than the mass of the liquid
D. there is no way to tell
8. Jan Lloyd mixes in a large bowl 500 g of flour with 25 g of water and 50 g of
butter to make dough. He then takes out 10 g to test. How much dough is
left in his bowl?
A. 585 g B. 575 g C. 565 g D. 560 g
9. To make a cup of tea you place 1 cup of water in a pot and bring it to boil.
After you have boiled the water you have _____ of water left.
A. less than a cup
B. a cup
C. more than a cup
D. there is no way to tell

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10.Liquid 1 and Liquid 2 react to produce a solid and a gas. Which of the
following expressions correctly shows how to determine the mass of the gas?
A. (mass of Liquid 1 + mass of Liquid 2) − (mass of solid)
B. (mass of Liquid 1 + mass of Liquid 2) + (mass of solid)
C. (mass of Liquid 1 x mass of Liquid 2) ÷ (mass of solid)
D. (mass of Liquid 1 − mass of Liquid 2) ÷ (mass of solid)

11.The chemical equation shows CaCO3 being heated. Which of these

statements best describes the mass of the products if 100 g of CaCO 3 is
heated?
A. The difference in the products’ masses is equal to the mass of the CaCO 3.
B. The sum of the products’ masses is less than the mass of the CaCO3.
C. The mass of each product is equal to the mass of the CaCO3.
D. The sum of the products’ masses equals the mass of the CaCO 3.

12.Which chemical equation supports the law of conservation of mass?

A. 2H2O(l) → H2 (g) + O2 (g)
B. Zn(s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
C. Al4C3(s) + H2O(l) → CH4(g) + Al (OH)3(s)
D. CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g) → CO2 (g) + 2H2O(g)

13.The mass of a rusty bicycle is found to be slightly greater than the mass of
the same bicycle before it rusted. The change in mass indicates that the
rusting process _____.
A. is a physical change
B. involves an energy-to-matter conversion
C. decreases the density of the metal
D. involves metal bonding with other atoms

14.Imagine you have a 500 g bar of chocolate that you melt. After melting you
measure the mass of the melted chocolate. The scale measures _____.
A. less than 500g
B. more than 500g
C. 500g
D. it is impossible to know

15.What scientific principle is reflected in a balanced equation?

A. The law of conservation of atoms
B. The law of conservation of mass
C. The law of definite proportions
D. The law of multiple proportions

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References
Books

Reyes, N., & Martinez, J. P. (2018). Science for Millenials. Salinlahi Publishing
House Inc.
Chang, R. (2002). Chemistry (7th ed.). USA: Mc-Graw Hill.
Padolina, M.C.D. (2000). Chemistry: Fundamental concepts of chemistry 1.
UP Open University

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 Zumdahl, S.S. (1998). Chemical principles. (3rd ed). NYC: Houghton Mifflin
Company.
Smoot, R., Smith, C., Richard, G. & Price, J. (1995). Merril Chemistry teacher
wraparound edition. NY: Mc-Graw Hill.

B. Websites

LR Portal. (n.d.). Deped LR Portal. Retrieved February 7, 2021, from

Conservation of Mass. (2004). High School Technology Initiative (HSTI)

Educational Materials: The ATOM: History.

http://natasha.eng.usf.edu/gilbert/research/hsti_discs/the_atom/History/W
orksheet%20Keys/his_wk2.pdf

InterActions Unit 4 Chapter 1 Sample Quiz KEY. (n.d.). CaliforniaEdition.

Retrieved February 7, 2021, from
https://ips.iat.com/californiaEdition/students_edition2/test_prep/assets/u4c
1_sample_quiz_key.pdf

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