What is a practical implication of the law of conservation of mass in chemistry?

The law of conservation of mass states that in a closed system, the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products in a chemical reaction. This principle has a direct and practical implication in the formulation of balanced chemical equations. When creating these equations, the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation to comply with this law.

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the calculations for reactions, stoichiometry, and yields are accurate, reflecting that matter is neither created nor destroyed during chemical transformations. This foundational concept is fundamental in chemistry and underpins a wide array of practical applications, from pharmaceuticals to industrial processes, where precise measurements of reactants and products are crucial.