Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. During any physical or chemical process, the total mass of the system remains constant.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products in a chemical reaction.
This law is fundamental to balancing chemical equations.
It applies to all physical changes as well as chemical reactions.
The law is a cornerstone concept for understanding stoichiometry.
Antoine Lavoisier first formulated this principle in the late 18th century.
The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions using the relationships established by balanced equations.
Balancing Chemical Equations: The process of ensuring that a chemical equation adheres to the law of conservation of matter by having equal numbers of atoms for each element on both sides.
Physical Change: A change in which no new substances are formed, and only the form or appearance changes while conserving mass.