As part of an experiment, a student burns propane (c3h8) to produce carbon dioxide (co2) and water (h2o). she remembers that she must follow the law of conservation of matter when writing a balance chemical equation. which of these equations adheres to the law of conservation of matter? a) c3h8 + o2 -> co2 + h2o b) c3h8 + o2 -> 3co2 + h2o c) c3h8 + 3o2 -> co2 + 4h2o d) c3h8 + 5o2 -> 3co2 + 4h2o

The correct answer would be D) C₃H₈ + 5O₂ -> 3CO₂ + 4H₂O

Law of conservation of mass states that matter can neither be created nor it can be destroyed. It can change from one form to another however, the total mass of the matter remains conserved

In a chemical equation it can be infer as the mass of the reactants remains equal to the mass of the products.

Hence, the total number of elements used in a chemical reaction must remain conserve during the chemical reaction.

In the reaction C₃H₈ + 5O₂ -> 3CO₂ + 4H₂O  

3 carbon atoms are there in the reactant as well as product.

Similarly, 8 atoms of hydrogen and 10 atoms of the oxygen remain the same in reactant as well as product.