Which of the following statements is true about what happens in all chemical reactions according to the Law of Conservation of Mass?

• A. The total mass of the products is always greater than the total mass of the reactants.
• B. Atoms are destroyed during chemical reactions.
• C. The total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
• D. Mass is lost during every chemical reaction.

Answer: (C)

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.
2. Understand that during a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged to form new substances, but the total number of atoms remains the same.
3. Recognize that because atoms are neither created nor destroyed, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.
4. Evaluate the given statements: the total mass of products being greater or less than reactants would violate the Law of Conservation of Mass.
5. Conclude that the true statement is: 'The total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.'