Question

in a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged to form new molecules. however, atoms are neither created nor destroyed. what happens to the total mass of the atoms involved in a chemical reaction?
○a. it always changes as the atoms are rearranged into new molecules.
○b. it will decrease if two molecules combine to form a single compound.
○c. it will increase if a new compound is formed during the reaction.
○d. it will stay the same no matter how the atoms are rearranged.

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of mass in chemistry, in a chemical reaction, atoms are neither created nor destroyed. They are just rearranged. So the total mass of the atoms involved in the reaction remains the same.

• Option A is wrong because the mass doesn't change due to rearrangement.
• Option B is wrong as combining molecules doesn't decrease mass.
• Option C is wrong as forming a new compound doesn't increase mass.
• Option D is correct as it aligns with the law of conservation of mass.

Answer:

D. It will stay the same no matter how the atoms are rearranged.