In a chemical reaction occurring in an open beaker, the reactants have a mass of 10g and contain 1000J or energy. The products in the beaker contain a mass of 5g and 500J of energy. Which best explains the difference in energy and mass as reactants are converted to products.

Question

Chemistry

Nathaniel Raymond

11 January, 08:03

In a chemical reaction occurring in an open beaker, the reactants have a mass of 10g and contain 1000J or energy. The products in the beaker contain a mass of 5g and 500J of energy. Which best explains the difference in energy and mass as reactants are converted to products.

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Ethan Carrillo · Answer 1

We have two laws that cannot be violated. The conservation of mass and the conservation of energy.

The only reason why the beaker with the products has less mass than what you could expect is because part of the products are gases that escapes from the beaker.

Regarding the energy, the lower energy of the products is due to the release of heat during the chemical reaction.