AllChemicals — The Online Chemical Glossary | https://allchemicals.info/chemical/547-law-of-conservation-of-matter
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Also Known As
Law of conservation of mass, Lavoisier's law, mass balance principle
What is Law of Conservation of Matter?
The principle stating that matter is neither created nor destroyed in ordinary chemical reactions. The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products. This law requires balanced chemical equations and is the basis of stoichiometry. Also called the law of conservation of mass.
Properties & Characteristics
The Law of Conservation of Matter (Mass) states that matter is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions. The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products. This was established by Antoine Lavoisier (1789) from careful mass measurements and requires balanced chemical equations. In nuclear reactions, matter is converted to energy (E = mc²), but in ordinary chemistry, mass conservation holds to extremely high precision.
Uses & Applications
The law of conservation of matter is the basis of all stoichiometric calculations, material balances in chemical engineering, gravimetric analysis, and the requirement for balanced chemical equations. Process material balances (mass-in = mass-out + accumulation) are fundamental to chemical plant design.
Safety Information
Mass balances are essential for chemical process safety: all toxic reactants and products must be accounted for in mass balance calculations. Unaccounted mass suggests undiscovered reaction pathways or leaks. Environmental permits require material balance accounting for all waste streams.
Always consult the SDS/MSDS before handling any chemical. This information is for educational purposes only.
SynonymsLaw of conservation of mass, Lavoisier's law, mass balance principle
Frequently Asked Questions
The principle stating that matter is neither created nor destroyed in ordinary chemical reactions. The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products. This law requires balanced chemical equations and is the basis of stoichiometry. Also called the law of conservation of mass.
The law of conservation of matter is the basis of all stoichiometric calculations, material balances in chemical engineering, gravimetric analysis, and the requirement for balanced chemical equations. Process material balances (mass-in = mass-out + accumulation) are fundamental to chemical plant des…
Mass balances are essential for chemical process safety: all toxic reactants and products must be accounted for in mass balance calculations. Unaccounted mass suggests undiscovered reaction pathways or leaks. Environmental permits require material balance accounting for all waste streams.
Editorial standards: Chemical data is sourced from peer-reviewed literature,
CAS Registry, NIST WebBook, and PubChem. Safety information reflects guidance from OSHA, ECHA,
and IAEA. For educational purposes only — always consult official SDS documentation and qualified
professionals before handling chemicals.
