is lost in the process? Do you think this mass change could be directly measured?
2006-06-13 10:02:38 · 4 answers · asked by jj23 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It is generally said that the law of conservation of mass holds for ordinary chemical reactions, and for all intensive purposes, it does.
However, technically, there is a VERY small change in the mass (too small to even matter to most things) when energy is given off or gained.
In the case of 56 kJ being released when 1 g of natural gas combusts, there is an associated change in mass of only 6.2 E-13 kg (6.2 E -10 grams).
E = mc^2
56000 Joules = m (3 E8)^3
m = 56000 / (9 E16)
This is such a small number, it is very easy to ignore it as it would be near impossible to measure such a small amount anyway.
2006-06-13 10:21:10 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No mass is lost or gained. This is characteristic of all chemical reactions.
2006-06-13 17:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by James S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
zero
2006-06-13 17:07:08 · answer #3 · answered by eleonetti1958 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
none
2006-06-13 17:05:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋