Conservation of Mass

Experiment 1
1. Record the following masses in grams:
a an empty flask
b the flask containing 50 mL vinegar
c the flask containing 50 mL sodium hydroxide
d the flask right after mixing sodium hydroxide and vinegar
e the flask after the reaction

Remember to use the data you obtained from above to calculate Q2 and Q3.
2. Calculate and record the combined mass of the reactants vinegar and sodium hydroxide (in grams).
Show work below.


3. Calculate and record the mass of the contents of the flask after the reaction (in grams).
Show work below.

4. Compare the two masses before and after the reaction. Calculate the percent deviation between the
original mass and the measured mass after the reaction, which is defined as: Show work below.
Use the data obtained from Q2 and Q3.

percent deviation = |(mass before reaction) - (mass after reaction)| / (mass after reaction * 100%)


5. Explain what may have caused any discrepancy between the two values of the masses and whether
you have confirmed the law of conservation of mass.


Experiment 2
1. Record the following masses in grams:
a mass of an open, empty flask (g)
b an closed flask with 20 mL water (g)
c closed flask with 2g Alka Seltzer and 20 mL water, right after the addition
of Alka Seltzer (g)

d closed flask with 2g Alka Seltzer and 20 mL water, after the reaction (g)


2. Calculate the combined mass of the reactants, Alka Seltzer and water. Subtract the mass of the
Erlenmeyer flask (a) from the combined mass of the water, alka seltzer, and Erlenmeyer flask right after
the addition of Alka Seltzer (c). Show work below.

3. Calculate the mass of the contents of the flask after the reaction. Subtract the mass of the Erlenmeyer
flask (a) from the combined mass of the water, alka seltzer, and Erlenmeyer flask after the reaction (d).
Show work below.

4. Compare the two masses, before and after the reaction. Calculate the % deviation as: Show work
below.
percent deviation = |(mass before reaction) - (mass after reaction)| / (mass after reaction * 100%)




5. Explain what may have caused any discrepancy between the 2 masses, and whether you have proved
the law of mass conservation.