According to the Law of Conservation of Mass, what would happen to the total mass if a chemical reaction occurs inside a sealed plastic bag?

• A. The total mass would decrease because some mass is lost as gas.
• B. The total mass would fluctuate depending on the type of reaction.
• C. The total mass would increase due to energy being converted into mass.
• D. The total mass would remain the same before and after the reaction.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.
2. Understand that in a sealed system, such as a sealed plastic bag, no matter can enter or leave the system during the reaction.
3. Recognize that even if gases are produced or consumed during the reaction, they remain inside the sealed bag, so their mass is still accounted for within the system.
4. Conclude that because the system is closed and no mass escapes, the total mass before the reaction must be equal to the total mass after the reaction.
5. Therefore, the total mass remains constant throughout the chemical reaction inside the sealed plastic bag, illustrating the Law of Conservation of Mass.