Question

Use the balanced equation of a nitrogen cycle pathway below to support the conservation of matter and energy.

N2 + 8 H --> 2 NH3 + H2

Answer 1

Answer and explanation;

• According to the Law of conservation of mass; Mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. The law of conservation of mass states that the total mass of substances taking part in a chemical reaction is conserved during the reaction. For example in the equation;
• N2 + 8 H --> 2 NH3 + H2
• The number of hydrogen atoms and nitrogen atoms in the reactant side is equal to those on the product side.
• Additionally; the law of conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant, that is it can not be created or destroyed, rather, it can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another.