THE LAW OF

CONSERVATION OF
MASS

CHEMICAL FORMULA
A chemical formula is a shorthand way to use chemical
symbols and numbers to represent a substance.
Examples
Water is made of two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom.
Its chemical formula is H2O

Water

Magnesium Chloride (magnesium, chlorine, chlorine) MgCl2

Glucose (carbon, carbon, carbon, carbon, carbon, carbon, hydrogen,
hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen,
hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, oxygen, oxygen,
oxygen, oxygen, oxygen) C6H12O6

CHEMICAL FORMULA
Here are some chemical formulas, determine the
molecules composition.
CO2
CO
CCl4
H 3O

LAW OF CONSERVATION
OF MASS
Law of Conservation of Mass - This law states that
mass cannot be created or destroyed in ordinary
chemical and physical changes.
How does this model show the Law of Conservation of
Mass?

LAW OF CONSERVATION
OF MASS
Does this model show the Law of Conservation of
Mass?

LAW OF CONSERVATION
OF MASS
Does this model show the Law of Conservation of
Mass?

CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

Chemical Equations use chemical

symbols and formulas as a shortcut to
describe a chemical reaction.
Reactants The starting materials in a chemical
reaction (found on the left side of the arrow).
Products The substances that are formed in the
reaction (found on the right side of the arrow).

A plus sign separates

the formulas of two or
more reactants.

The arrow separates

the formulas of the
reactants from the
formulas of the
products.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER!

1. Does this model show the Law of Conservation of
Mass? Why?
2. What does the subscript 2 tell you about the first
compound in this equation?
3. What does the 2 in front of NH3 tell you about the
NH3?
4. What are the reactants in this equation?
5. What are the products in this equation?
6. How many hydrogen atoms are found in the products
of this equation?