Which statement best explains how stoichiometry supports the law of conservation of mass?

• A. Stoichiometry allows chemists to predict the color changes during a chemical reaction.
• B. Stoichiometry shows that atoms are destroyed and created during chemical reactions.
• C. Stoichiometry determines the energy released in a chemical reaction.
• D. Stoichiometry ensures that the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products in a chemical reaction.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it remains constant.
2. Recognize that stoichiometry involves using balanced chemical equations to relate the amounts of reactants and products quantitatively.
3. Use the balanced chemical equation to ensure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the reaction, reflecting mass conservation.
4. Apply stoichiometric calculations to determine the masses of reactants and products, confirming that the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.
5. Conclude that stoichiometry supports the law of conservation of mass by providing a quantitative method to verify that mass is conserved during chemical reactions.