According to the Law of Conservation of Mass, does every chemical reaction result in the creation of new matter?

• A. Yes, the total mass always increases after a chemical reaction.
• B. No, chemical reactions only destroy existing matter.
• C. No, matter is neither created nor destroyed; it is simply rearranged.
• D. Yes, new matter is always formed in every chemical reaction.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that matter 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 constant.
3. Recognize that because atoms are neither created nor destroyed, the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
4. Therefore, no new matter is created, and no existing matter is destroyed; the mass is conserved throughout the reaction.
5. Conclude that the correct interpretation is that matter is simply rearranged, not created or destroyed, in any chemical reaction.