Question

balanced chemical equations quick check
which statement best describes the law of conservation of mass? (1 point)
chemical symbols are used to show atom balance before and after a reaction.
matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
reactants in a chemical reaction rearrange to form a new substance or substances.
reactants and products cannot escape from a closed system.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of mass states that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. It focuses on the mass of substances before and after a reaction. The first option is about using chemical symbols for atom balance (more about equation representation). The third option is about reactants forming products (describes a chemical reaction but not specifically mass conservation). The fourth option is about a closed - system (related to containment but not the core of mass conservation). The second option directly aligns with the law of conservation of mass.

Answer:

Matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.