One big misunderstanding about the Law of Conservation of Mass is that it only works in closed systems.

Many people think that mass can just disappear if it’s not trapped, like when you burn something outside.

But really, the mass is still there; it just changes form.

For example, when wood burns, it turns into ash and gas.

Another common mix-up is thinking this law means the total mass stays the same in every chemical reaction.

While that’s true for the total mass, the individual weights of the starting materials and the final products can look different.

For instance, if you mix vinegar and baking soda, the gas that forms might make people wonder where the mass went.

Some people also think this law means nothing can be created or destroyed.

That’s partly true, but it's more about how atoms are rearranged.

Atoms are transformed, not just made or vanished into thin air.

So, remember: in any chemical reaction, if you check the mass before and after, they should be equal!

Next time you do a reaction, keep this idea in mind!