Conservation of Mass in Combustion

When something burns, like wood or fuel, it might look like mass is lost because you see only ash left. But in truth:

The carbon in the fuel combines with oxygen in the air to form gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor.

If all the gases were collected, you'd find the total mass remains the same.

This is why scientists use sealed chambers to study combustion and measure mass precisely.

Role in Balancing Equations

Conservation of mass is the reason chemical equations must be balanced. For example:

This ensures that the same number of atoms of each element appears on both sides, preserving total mass.

Link to Stoichiometry

In chemistry, stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It relies completely on conservation of mass:

If 18 grams of water is formed, then exactly 2 grams of hydrogen and 16 grams of oxygen must have reacted.

Chemists use this to predict how much product will form or how much reactant is needed.

In Environmental Science

Scientists use this principle to track pollutants—like measuring how much carbon is released during burning fossil fuels.

It helps in mass balance models for ecosystems, showing how nutrients or toxins flow through air, water, and soil.