Question

Assertion: Matter can neither be created nor be destroyed.
Reason: this is law of definite proportions
A. Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion
B. Both assertion and reason are correct but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion
C. Assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect.
D. Both assertion and reason are incorrect.

Answer 1

Law of definite proportions is the relationship between the ratio of an element to the different compounds it exists in. The assertion is a statement which focuses primarily on matter without regard to what constitutes the matter.

Complete step by step answer:
Law of conservation of energy states that: Matter can never be created nor be destroyed.
Law of definite proportions states that molecules will always have elements in a particular ratio which will also be fixed and not dependent on the method of preparation of the molecule.
Understanding the above definitions, we can say that they do not have overlapping interests and hence one cannot be used as an explanation for others.
However, the assertion is true, that matter cannot be created and it cannot be destroyed. It is just that the reason for the assertion is not true.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: Law of conservation of mass also goes hand in hand with law of conservation of energy which states that energy can never be created nor can it be destroyed. All this means that there is a finite amount of matter or energy which is being stored in the universe. These forms of matter and energy just keep getting transferred from one state to the other. Einstein’s energy mass equivalence gives the relationship between mass, or rather change in mass to the energy. It is believed that all form of matter have a stored energy known as internal energy which is capable of starting reactions or self-sustaining thermodynamic properties.