Which statement best describes the law of conservation of matter?

• A. Matter is always destroyed during physical changes.
• B. Matter can be created during chemical reactions but cannot be destroyed.
• C. Matter can be converted entirely into energy in all chemical reactions.
• 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 during physical or chemical changes, the total amount of matter remains constant, even if its appearance or state changes.
3. Eliminate incorrect statements: matter is not destroyed during physical changes, matter cannot be created during chemical reactions, and matter is not entirely converted into energy in typical chemical reactions.
4. Focus on the principle that atoms are rearranged in chemical reactions but the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.
5. Conclude that the best description of the law of conservation of matter is that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it is only transformed from one form to another.