Which is most likely to occur during a chemical reaction?(1 point) Responses Atoms of the original substance are lost. Atoms of the original substance are lost. Mass is conserved. Mass is conserved. The original substance maintains its properties. The original substance maintains its properties. New atoms are created.
Mass is conserved.
Mass is conserved.
During a chemical reaction, several outcomes are possible. Let's assess each response and determine which is most likely to occur.
1. "Atoms of the original substance are lost." This statement implies that atoms are eliminated during the reaction. However, according to the Law of Conservation of Mass, atoms cannot be created or destroyed. So, it is unlikely that atoms of the original substance are lost.
2. "Mass is conserved." This response aligns with the Law of Conservation of Mass, stating that the total mass of the substances involved in a chemical reaction remains constant before and after the reaction. Therefore, this is a likely outcome.
3. "The original substance maintains its properties." This statement suggests that the original substance remains unchanged during the chemical reaction. While this is possible, chemical reactions typically involve the rearrangement of atoms and the formation of new substances with different properties. Hence, this is less likely compared to mass conservation.
4. "New atoms are created." As mentioned earlier, atoms cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction. Atoms only rearrange to form new substances. Therefore, this response is unlikely.
Considering all the options, the most likely outcome during a chemical reaction is that "mass is conserved."