SPI 0807.9.

11
Notes Law of Conservation of Mass Science

Tennessee SPI Objective:

Recognize that in a chemical reaction the mass of the
reactants is equal to the mass of the products.
(Law of Conservation of Mass: LOCOM)
Essential Question(s)
How do I determine the number and type of atoms on each
side of a chemical equation?
I Can Statement
I can count the numbers of atoms on each side of chemical
reactions.
Success Criteria
I can prove that I understand LOCOM by counting the number
of atoms on each side of chemical reactions.
 SPI 0807.9.11
Notes Law of Conservation of Mass
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Recognize that in a chemical reaction the mass of the
reactants is equal to the mass of the products
(Law of Conservation of Mass: LOCOM)
No atoms are created or destroyed during chemical
reactions So no mass is
created or destroyed

LOCOM
 SPI 0807.9.11
Notes Law of Conservation of Mass
Science
Two Parts of Chemical Equations
(1) Reactants (2) Products
Reactants: chemicals you start with in a reaction
Products: chemicals you end up with in a reaction

2H2 + O2 2H2O

Reactants Product
(Hydrogen & Oxygen) (water)
 SPI 0807.9.11
Notes Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Three key symbols in chemical equations

(1) Subscript (2) Coefficient (3) Yields Arrow
Subscript: small number below & to the right of a chem symbol
reveals the number of atoms
Coefficient: big number in front of a chemical symbol or formula
(tells you to multiply)
Yields Arrow: always points towards the products

2H2 + O2 2H2O
 All chemical reactions always obey the…
…Law of Conservation of Mass
Atoms are never created or destroyed in a chemical reaction
… they are just rearranged.
Wrong Example: Look at the unbalanced equation shown below.
It is written incorrectly.
It DOES NOT obey this law.
Therefore it is impossible for this reaction to occur like this.
(count the atoms on each side of the equation)
H2 + O 2 H 2O

2 & 2 2&1
Four is not equal to three!
 F.Y.I.
Balancing Equations:
Note: You will learn about this in more detail in High School.
You make the amount of reactants equal the amount of products.
We use coefficients to do this.
Example: Here is the same equation from the previous slide, but
now I have balanced it by placing coefficients.
(count the atoms on each side of the equation)
2H2 + O2 2H2O

4 & 2 4&2
Six is equal to Six!
Now it demonstrates the law of conservation of mass.
 Quick SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Na + Cl2 2NaCl
(count the atoms on each side)
How many sodium (Na) reactants? One
How many sodium (Na) products? Two
How many chlorine (Cl) reactants? Two
How many chlorine (Cl) products? Two
Does this demonstrate the law of conservation of mass?
No it does not! (What is wrong with it?)
Note: Look at the sodium atoms on each side
 Quick SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

2N2 + O2 2N2O
(count the atoms on each side)
How many nitrogen (N) reactants? Four
How many nitrogen (N) products? Four
How many oxygen (O) reactants? Two
How many oxygen (O) products? Two
Does it demonstrate the law of conservation of mass?
Yes it does! (Count the atoms)
Why? Same number of atoms on each side
 SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Six Three Six Six

2 4 2 1 4 2 4 2

Hint: Count the atoms on each side of the arrow

 SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Two Four Eight Eight

1 1 2 2 2 6 2 6

Hint: Count the atoms on each side of the arrow

 SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Reactants: 2g + 4g = 6g Products: 6g

Hint:
Count the amounts of reactants and products
 SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Hint:
Use substitution: K= 39 grams, O= 32 grams
…so 39 + 32 ???
 SPI 0807.9.11
Review Law of Conservation of Mass
Science

Reactants: 4g + 3g = 7g Products: 7g

Reactants: 5g + 5g = 10g Products: 20g + 5g = 25g

Hint:
Count the amounts of reactants and products.