What does the law of conservation of mass state?

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The law of conservation of mass states that mass in a closed system cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. This principle underlines the idea that during any chemical reaction, the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products. This means that atoms are merely rearranged when substances react, rather than being created or annihilated.

In a closed system, all matter remains contained, and as reactions occur, the total quantity of matter (and thus mass) remains constant. This is a foundational principle in chemistry, supporting the understanding that chemical reactions do not alter the total mass involved.

Recognizing this concept is crucial for correctly interpreting reactions and understanding stoichiometry, as well as for various scientific applications where mass balance is vital.

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