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Because atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical change, the total mass present:
ADoubles each time
BRemains constant
CAlways increases
DAlways decreases
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Remains constant
1. Dalton's model treats a chemical change as a rearrangement of unchanged atoms.
2. If atoms are neither created nor destroyed during a chemical change, then the total mass of matter present when matter changes from one type to another will remain constant.
3. That statement is the law of conservation of matter.
4. Any apparent mass change in an experiment means something entered or left the system.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 'Atoms, Molecules, and Ions', sections 2.1-2.6_
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