Which statement best describes how chemical equations demonstrate conservation of mass?
a.
the number of reactants is the same as the number of products.
b.
the compounds are the same on each side of the reaction.
c.
the number of atoms of each element is the same on each side of the equation.
d.
the state of matter is the same on each side of the equation.

Explanation:

Let's just get the answer and then show why the others are wrong.

The answer is C.

The number of reactants and Products need not be the same

C3H8 + 5O2 ===> 3CO2 + 4H2O

The reactants = 1 + 5 = 6

The products = 3 + 4 = 7

So A is incorrect.

B is saying that

C3H8 + 5O2 ===> C3H8 + 5O2

The answer is obviously not B

C8H18(l) + O2(g) ==> CO2(g) + H2O(g)      unbalanced

Gasoline is a liquid. All the rest are gases. D is wrong.

C is correct

The left side has

3 Cs

8 Hs

and 10 Os

The right side has

3Cs

8Hs

10 Os

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