In this episode, we discuss changing mass.
Changes in mass during chemical reactions are often observed due to the gaseous nature of some reactants or products, which can either escape into or be absorbed from the surroundings. For instance, burning wood appears to lose mass as carbon dioxide and water vapour dissipate.
Conversely, metal corrosion shows a mass increase because oxygen from the air chemically combines with the metal.
Similarly, the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid results in a mass decrease due to the release of hydrogen gas.
Therefore, these examples illustrate how mass alterations in chemical reactions are frequently linked to the involvement of gases.
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