Chapter 19.1, Problem 6R

To determine

To explain: the importance of the law of conservation of mass.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

This law states that when the system is closed, mass of system will neither decrease nor increase, it will remain the same.

In this case, starting substances are called reactants, and new substances produced are called products.

  $\text{Reaction}\to \text{product}$

Lavoisier proposed the law of conservation of mass. According to his theory, the mass of products are equal to the mass of the reactant.

It is very important to identify the limiting reagent, amount of product formed, and the amount of reactant consumed in a chemical reaction.

Conclusion:

Hence, this theory is very important to identify the limiting reagent, amount of product formed, and the amount of reactant consumed in a chemical reaction.