A friend argues that if mass were really conserved he would never need to refill his gas tank.What explanation do you offer your friend?
A)The atoms (mass)of gasoline are converted into energy by the engine according to E=m $c ^ { 2 }$ .
B)The Law of Conservation of Mass does not apply to reactions involving combustion or explosion of matter.
C)The atoms (mass)of gasoline are converted into exhaust fumes.
D)The oil companies make gasoline in a way that it gets used up so that we are always required to replenish it.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Law of Conservation of Mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. When gasoline burns in a car's engine, its atoms are not destroyed; they are rearranged to form exhaust gases (like carbon dioxide and water vapor), which are expelled from the car. This is why you need to refill your gas tank: the mass of the gasoline is converted into other substances, not destroyed.

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