Conservation of Matter

Definition

The principle of conservation of matter states that the total amount of matter in a closed system remains constant, neither created nor destroyed, but only transformed or rearranged. This fundamental law governs the behavior of matter and energy in the universe, ensuring that the total quantity of matter remains unchanged during physical and chemical changes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The conservation of matter is a fundamental principle that applies to all physical and chemical changes, including phase changes, chemical reactions, and nuclear reactions.
2. In a closed system, the total mass of the system remains constant, even though the composition and arrangement of matter may change.
3. The law of conservation of matter is closely related to the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy can be transformed but not created or destroyed.
4. Conservation of matter ensures that the total amount of matter in the universe remains constant, with matter simply changing form or location, but never disappearing.
5. The principle of conservation of matter is a key concept in understanding the behavior of matter and energy in the context of 1.2 Phases and Classification of Matter.

Review Questions

• Explain how the conservation of matter applies to physical changes, such as phase changes.
  • During a physical change, such as the melting of ice or the boiling of water, the total mass of the system remains constant. The matter is simply changing from one state (solid, liquid, or gas) to another, but the total amount of matter does not change. The conservation of matter ensures that the total mass of the system, including the mass of the substance and any surrounding gases, remains the same before and after the physical change occurs.
• Describe how the conservation of matter is demonstrated in a chemical reaction.
  • In a chemical reaction, the reactants are transformed into different products, but the total mass of the system remains constant. The atoms that make up the reactants are rearranged to form new molecules, but the total number of atoms does not change. The conservation of matter ensures that the total mass of the reactants and products is the same, even though their chemical composition has been altered. This principle is crucial for understanding the classification and behavior of matter during chemical changes.
• Analyze the relationship between the conservation of matter and the first law of thermodynamics, and explain how this relationship is relevant to the study of 1.2 Phases and Classification of Matter.
  • The conservation of matter is closely linked to the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy can be transformed but not created or destroyed. In the context of 1.2 Phases and Classification of Matter, the conservation of matter ensures that the total amount of matter remains constant during physical and chemical changes, while the first law of thermodynamics governs the energy transformations that accompany these changes. For example, during a phase change, such as the evaporation of water, the total mass of the system remains the same, but the energy required to transition the water from a liquid to a gas state is accounted for by the first law of thermodynamics. This relationship between the conservation of matter and the first law of thermodynamics is essential for understanding the fundamental principles that govern the behavior and classification of different forms of matter.

Related terms

Closed System: A closed system is an isolated system that does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but may exchange energy.

Mass:

The amount of matter in an object, measured in units such as grams or kilograms, which remains constant regardless of the object's location or state.

Chemical Reaction: A process that involves the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances with different properties, where the total mass of the reactants and products remains the same.