Law of Conservation of Matter

Law of Conservation of Matter In a chemical reaction, matter cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed/rearranged Therefore the reactants side must equal the products side.

So, what does that mean? The reactants MUST contain the same elements AND the same number of each element as the products. But, they can be in different compounds Elements are rearranged.

H2 + O2 H2O Do an atom count Is the equation balanced? What now?

Balancing Equations Rules: Do atom count first to see where it is not balanced. ONLY CHANGE COEFFICIENTS, you cannot change subscripts Underline coefficients or leave blanks so you can see where to make changes RECOUNT

___H2 +___ O2  H2O

___Na + ___O2  Na2O

___HgO  Hg + ___O2