What do these two changes have in common? making paper from wood
photosynthesis
Select all that apply.
Both are chemical changes.
Both are changes of state.
Both conserve mass.
Both are caused by heating.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer:
- Both are chemical changes.
- Both conserve mass.
Explanation:
The processes of making paper from wood and photosynthesis are similar in the following ways:
- Both are chemical changes:
- Making paper from wood involves breaking down the cellulose in wood through a chemical process known as pulping. This alters the chemical structure of the wood, converting it into fibers that are later processed into paper.
- Photosynthesis is a chemical process in which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. This is a significant transformation of matter at the molecular level.
Since both processes involve the creation of new substances with new chemical properties, they are classified as chemical changes.
- Both conserve mass:
- According to the law of conservation of mass, matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Instead, it is rearranged.
- In making paper, the mass of the input materials (wood pulp, water, and chemicals) is equal to the mass of the paper and byproducts.
- In photosynthesis, the total mass of the reactants (carbon dioxide and water) equals the total mass of the products (glucose and oxygen).
Thus, in both processes, mass is conserved despite the chemical transformations.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- Both are changes of state:
- A change of state refers to physical changes like solid to liquid or liquid to gas. Neither process primarily involves a change of state.
- Both are caused by heating:
- Photosynthesis is driven by light energy (not heat), and while heat may be used in some stages of paper production, it is not the primary driver of the chemical change.
These shared features highlight how different chemical processes can obey fundamental principles like conservation of mass.