In a reaction, 5.3g of sodium carbonate reacted with 6 g of acetic acid. The products were 2.2 g of carbon dioxide, 0.9 g of water and 8.2 g of sodium acetate. Show that these observations are in agreement with the law of conservation of mass. Sodium carbonate + acetic acid → Sodium acetate + carbon dioxide + water

Solution:

Sodium carbonate + acetic acid → Sodium acetate + carbon dioxide + water

5.3g 6g 8.2g 2.2g 0.9g

As per the law of conservation of mass, the total mass of reactants must be equal to the total mass of

products.

As per the above reaction, L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., 5.3g + 6g = 2.2g + 0.9 g + 8.2 g = 11.3 g

Hence, the observations are in agreement with the law of conservation of mass.