Question

1. chemical equations must be balanced because --

mass can neither be created nor destroyed.

o the mass of the reactants is always greater than the mass of the products.

o mass is determined by a chemical reaction.

the mass of the products is always greater than the mass of the reactants.

clear all

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of mass, in a chemical reaction, mass can neither be created nor destroyed. This means the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products. Balancing chemical equations ensures this law is followed. The other options are incorrect. The mass of reactants is not always greater than products (they are equal when balanced), mass is not determined by a chemical reaction in the sense of creation/destruction (it's conserved), and the mass of products is not always greater than reactants (again, they are equal when balanced).

Answer:

mass can neither be created nor destroyed.