Which statement best describes the law of conservation of matter?

• A. Matter can be converted entirely into energy in all chemical reactions.
• B. Matter is always destroyed during physical changes.
• C. Matter can be created during chemical reactions but cannot be destroyed.
• D. Matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it is only transformed from one form to another.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it only changes form.
2. Recognize that this law implies the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products in any chemical process.
3. Eliminate incorrect statements: matter cannot be entirely converted into energy in chemical reactions, matter is not destroyed during physical changes, and matter cannot be created during chemical reactions.
4. Focus on the principle that atoms are rearranged during chemical reactions but their total number and mass remain constant.
5. Conclude that the best description is that matter is conserved and only transformed from one form to another during chemical reactions.