The law of conservation of mass states: View Available Hint (s) The law of conservation of mass states: that in a given compound, the relative numbers and kinds of atoms are constant. that the total mass of material present after a chemical reaction is the same as the total mass present before the reaction. that atoms of one element can be changed into atoms of a different element by chemical reactions. that elements combine in small whole number ratios.

The total mass of materials present after a chemical reaction is the same as the total mass before the reaction

Explanation:

The Mass Conservation Act or the Conservation Matter Act proposed by Lavoisier postulates that: "The sum of the masses of the reactant substances is equal to the sum of the masses of the reaction products."

To reach these conclusions, Lavoisier used precise scales involving various elements in sealed containers. The total masses of the elements did not vary before (reactants) and after the reaction (products), remaining constant. Note that if he performed his experiments in an open environment there would be a loss of mass as the substance would react with air.

In this case, if we look at an iron that over time reacts with air (resulting in rust), we notice the variation in its initial mass. That is, it becomes larger after contact between them as it has the mass of iron and the mass of air.

Thus, we can state that the law of conservation of mass states states that the total mass of materials present after a chemical reaction is the same as the total mass before the reaction.