What Simple Experiments Can Show the Conservation of Mass?

The conservation of mass is a cool idea in chemistry. It says that mass can’t be made or destroyed in a chemical reaction!

Let’s explore some fun experiments you can do to show this idea!

1. Vinegar and Baking Soda Reaction:

   • What You Need: Vinegar, baking soda, a balloon, and a bottle.
   • How to Do It: Put baking soda in the balloon and vinegar in the bottle. Carefully attach the balloon to the bottle without spilling the baking soda. When you’re ready, let the baking soda drop into the vinegar and watch what happens!
   • What to Notice: Collect the gas that forms and check the total mass before and after the reaction. You’ll see it stays the same (just remember to weigh it first!).

2. Steel Wool and Vinegar:

   • What You Need: Steel wool, vinegar, and a clear container with a lid.
   • How to Do It: Soak the steel wool in vinegar, then put it in the container and close it up. Watch it over a few days.
   • What to Notice: The mass will increase as the steel rusts! You’ll see that the mass before and after shows the conservation of mass!

3. Burning a Candle:

   • What You Need: A candle, a lighter, and a scale.
   • How to Do It: Weigh the candle before you burn it and then weigh it again after.
   • What to Notice: Even though the candle seems to disappear, the weight of the gases (carbon dioxide and water vapor) adds up to the original weight!

These experiments are not only fun but also show the amazing idea of conservation of mass! Get ready to be a scientist!