During an investigation a scientist heated 27 g of mercuric oxide till it decomposed to leave a dry product. The total mass of the product formed was 25 g. Does the law of conservation of mass hold true in this case? Use complete sentences to justify your answer based on numerical calculations.

Question

phsycoticboy · Answer

is this illeagle

Zari · Answer

@phsycoticboy wrote:

is this illeagle huh?

phsycoticboy · Answer

investigation a scientist heated 27 g of mercuric oxide till it decomposed to leave a dry product.

Zari · Answer

@phsycoticboy wrote:

investigation a scientist heated 27 g of mercuric oxide till it decomposed to leave a dry product. ok

Vocaloid · Answer

Law of conservation of mass is always true. In this reaction, they started with 27g and ended up with 25g of dry product. However, the 2g did not just magically disappear. Since they heated an oxide, it is very likely that there was some oxygen gas produced which they did not account for. If they repeated the reaction in a closed container, massed the oxygen as well as the dry product, they should get much closer to the original 27g in total. (minus some measuring uncertainty)