Textbook Question
Which of the following three drawings represents a neutral Na atom? (a) (b) (c)
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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement170
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions160
- Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions169
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution199
- Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms102
- Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory92
- Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures61
- Ch.8 - Covalent Compounds: Bonding Theories and Molecular Structure59
- Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy122
- Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior155
- Ch.11 - Liquids & Phase Changes54
- Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials73
- Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties120
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics98
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium125
- Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases110
- Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria147
- Ch.18 - Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy & Equilibrium86
- Ch.19 - Electrochemistry154
- Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry96
- Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry156
- Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements187
- Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry51
Chapter 2, Problem 39
Assume that the mixture of substances in drawing (a) undergoes a reaction. Which of the drawings (b)–(d) rep-resents a product mixture consistent with the law of mass conservation? 
(b) ![]()
(c) ![]()
(d) ![]()
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the number of each type of atom in the initial mixture (drawing (a)).
Apply the law of mass conservation, which states that the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products.
Count the number of each type of atom in each of the product mixtures (drawings (b), (c), and (d)).
Compare the number of each type of atom in the product mixtures to the initial mixture to ensure they are the same.
Determine which drawing (b), (c), or (d) has the same number of each type of atom as the initial mixture, indicating it is consistent with the law of mass conservation.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Law of Conservation of Mass
The Law of Conservation of Mass states that in a closed system, the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products in a chemical reaction. This principle implies that atoms are neither created nor destroyed during a reaction; they are simply rearranged. Therefore, the number of each type of atom before and after the reaction must remain constant.
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Law of Conservation of Mass
Chemical Reaction Representation
In chemistry, a chemical reaction is often represented visually through models or diagrams that depict the arrangement of atoms before and after the reaction. These representations help illustrate how reactants transform into products, highlighting the changes in bonding and structure. Understanding these visual models is crucial for analyzing the outcomes of reactions and ensuring they adhere to conservation laws.
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Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between the amounts of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to predict the proportions of substances consumed and produced, based on balanced chemical equations. Mastery of stoichiometry is essential for determining whether a proposed product mixture aligns with the Law of Conservation of Mass, as it ensures that the number of atoms remains consistent before and after the reaction.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Would you expect these elements to have similar or different chemical reactivity?
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Textbook Question
Which represents a Ca atom with two positive electrical charges (Ca2+)? (a)
(b)
(c)
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Textbook Question
In the following drawings, red spheres represent protons, and blue spheres represent neutrons. Which of the draw-ings represent different isotopes of the same element, and which represents a different element altogether?(a) (b) (c)
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Textbook Question
If yellow spheres represent sulfur atoms and red spheres represent oxygen atoms, which of the following drawings shows a collection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) units?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Textbook Question
Classify these elements as metals, nonmetals, or semimetals.
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