Apply the Law of Conservation of Mass to the following problem: During a combustion reaction, 12.2 grams of methane reacts with 14 g of oxygen. The reaction produces carbon dioxide and water. If 20 grams of water are produced, how many grams of carbon dioxide are produced?

5.8 g of carbon dioxide are produced

Explanation:

The Law of Conservation of Mass states that the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products in all chemical reactions.

This is the chemical reaction (combustion)

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

12.2 g 14 g x 20g

Mass in reactants = 12.2 g + 14 g = 26.2 g

Mass in products = x + 20 g

26.2 g = x + 20g

26.2 g - 20g = x

5.8 g = x