Question

1. a student states that the total mass of the 4 aluminum pieces would be equal to the initial 2.00g of aluminum foil. choose the correct claim that supports or refutes this statement and use scientific reasoning in terms of conservation of mass to support the answer. 1

a. the mass of 4 pieces of aluminum is equal to 2.00g because the process of cutting the aluminum did not lose or gain aluminum particles.
b. the mass of 4 pieces of aluminum is equal to 2.00g because the process of cutting is a physical process.
c. the mass of 4 pieces of aluminum is more than 2.00g because the process of cutting the aluminum caused an increase in mass as the aluminum can now react with the air in the surroundings.
d. the mass of 4 pieces of aluminum is less than 2.00g because the process of cutting the aluminum lost mass as pieces of the aluminum were lost to the surroundings.

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of mass, in a physical process (such as cutting aluminum which is a physical change), the total mass of the substances involved remains constant. There is no chemical reaction (so no gain or loss of mass due to reaction with air as in option c) and no mass loss to surroundings (as in option d). Option b is correct because cutting is a physical process and mass is conserved, so the mass of the 4 pieces of aluminum is equal to the initial 2.00g.

Answer:

b. The mass of 4 pieces of aluminum is equal to 2.00g because the process of cutting is a physical process.