3.1.5

Changing Mass

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Changing Mass

In chemical reactions, substances may seem to lose or gain mass. Normally, 1 of the reactants (or products) is a gas, and gas can escape into the surrounding environment.

Illustrative background for Burning of woodIllustrative background for Burning of wood ?? "content

Burning of wood

  • When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide and water (and often other gases).
  • These gases can escape into the atmosphere. These gases can't be weighed easily at the end of a reaction.
Illustrative background for Corrosion of metalsIllustrative background for Corrosion of metals ?? "content

Corrosion of metals

  • The mass of the oxide produced will be larger than the mass of the starting metals because oxygen atoms from the atmosphere have been added:
    • E.g. 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
  • The change in mass will equal the mass of the oxygen atoms which have been added.
Illustrative background for Zinc + hydrochloric acidIllustrative background for Zinc + hydrochloric acid ?? "content

Zinc + hydrochloric acid

  • During this reaction, you would expect the mass of the flask and reactants (zinc and hydrochloric acid) to decrease.
  • This is because the hydrogen gas produced will escape from the flask.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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