Why might a chmeist need to understanf the law of conservation of mass-energy?

Question

Extra credit question... I'm stumped... thanks for the help!

chemist* understand*

Answer 1

chemistry, like everything else, is based on the law of conservation of mass energy

a chemical synthesis using 100 grams of A and 100 grams of B cannot possibly produce more than 200 grams of C or of C and A and B

when you balance an equation (a common chemist starting place) you are assuming that if you put 3 atoms of hydrogen in, 3 atoms must come out, hence the term "balance"

if mass were not conserved, you could put 3 in and expect 4 out

furthermore, advanced chemistry has as much to do with energy as it does with math

endothermic reactions use energy exothermic reactions give off energy but if you don't have the concept of conservation of energy you can never understand or figure any of it out

every single chemical reaction is a study in the conservation of mass and energy and without understanding of the conservation principles you cannot understand any of the substance interactions whose study we name chemistry

Answer 2

I could be totally wrong, but it is x-tra cred right?

Because energy doesn't come from thin air, so if you get an exothermic reaction, the heat is a product of your reaction, so it is almost like a loss, a "leak" of your system....

Does that make sence?

Answer 3

That is one of the most important laws in science. Nothing can either be created or destroyed.

Answer 4

Because particles collide all the time in matter. At ever increasing rates with temperature.

Answer 5

it's a way to check what's going on in a reaction. if you're missing mass it had to go somewhere so you're missing a product (in most cases water)