What fundamental principle states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system?

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Multiple Choice

What fundamental principle states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system?

Conservation of mass is the idea that in an isolated system the total amount of matter stays the same, even as substances react or change form. Atoms are conserved, so you can rearrange bonds, combine elements into new compounds, or switch between solid, liquid, and gas, but the total mass before and after remains essentially equal. Energy changes can accompany reactions, but they don’t create or destroy matter in ordinary chemistry. The other options describe energy conservation, relativity, or thermodynamics, which govern different aspects like energy, motion, or heat flow rather than the fixed quantity of matter.

Conservation of mass is the idea that in an isolated system the total amount of matter stays the same, even as substances react or change form. Atoms are conserved, so you can rearrange bonds, combine elements into new compounds, or switch between solid, liquid, and gas, but the total mass before and after remains essentially equal. Energy changes can accompany reactions, but they don’t create or destroy matter in ordinary chemistry. The other options describe energy conservation, relativity, or thermodynamics, which govern different aspects like energy, motion, or heat flow rather than the fixed quantity of matter.

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