How does the law of conservation of matter describe the evaporation of water?

How does the law of conservation of matter describe the evaporation of water?

• A. The mass of water decreases
• B. It turns into a solid
• C. It remains the same quantity as vapor
• D. Water disappears completely

Answer: (C)

The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system; it can only change form. During the process of evaporation, water transitions from a liquid state to a vapor state. Throughout this process, the total mass of the water remains constant. When water evaporates, it looks as though the water has "disappeared," but in reality, it has simply transformed into water vapor, which is still present in the air. Therefore, even though the liquid water's appearance changes, the quantity of water—in both its liquid and gaseous forms—remains the same. The mass is conserved, as the molecules are merely changing state, not leaving the system. This understanding aligns perfectly with the concept that the quantity of water remains unchanged as it transitions to vapor, reinforcing the principles of the conservation of matter.

The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system; it can only change form. During the process of evaporation, water transitions from a liquid state to a vapor state. Throughout this process, the total mass of the water remains constant.

When water evaporates, it looks as though the water has "disappeared," but in reality, it has simply transformed into water vapor, which is still present in the air. Therefore, even though the liquid water's appearance changes, the quantity of water—in both its liquid and gaseous forms—remains the same. The mass is conserved, as the molecules are merely changing state, not leaving the system. This understanding aligns perfectly with the concept that the quantity of water remains unchanged as it transitions to vapor, reinforcing the principles of the conservation of matter.