Question
A window is accidentally broken while friends are tossing a baseball. The window shatters into what seems like a million pieces. What happens to the matter in the glass? a The matter looks different, but the amount stays. the same. b The amount of matter in the glass is reduced. c The matter of the glass is completely destroyed. d New matter is created.
Ask by Hampton Schmidt. in the United States
Feb 02,2025
Real Tutor Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The matter in the glass looks different, but the total amount stays the same.
Solution
To solve this problem, we need to analyze the situation based on the principles of matter and conservation of mass.
1. **Understanding the scenario**: When the window is broken, the glass shatters into many pieces. However, the glass itself is still present, just in a different form.
2. **Analyzing the options**:
- **Option a**: "The matter looks different, but the amount stays the same." This option suggests that while the glass has changed form (from a whole window to many pieces), the total amount of matter remains unchanged. This aligns with the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system.
- **Option b**: "The amount of matter in the glass is reduced." This option implies that some of the glass has disappeared, which is not true in this case.
- **Option c**: "The matter of the glass is completely destroyed." This option is incorrect because the glass is not destroyed; it is merely broken into smaller pieces.
- **Option d**: "New matter is created." This option is also incorrect because breaking the glass does not create new matter.
3. **Conclusion**: The correct answer is **a**: "The matter looks different, but the amount stays the same." The glass has simply changed form, but the total amount of matter remains constant.
Thus, the answer is **a**.
Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team
Like
error msg
Explain
Simplify this solution
The Deep Dive
The matter in the glass, even when shattered, remains unchanged in quantity. It may look like a chaotic mess of tiny shards, but the total amount of glass still exists. This principle is rooted in the law of conservation of mass, which tells us matter can change forms but not disappear or be created anew. So, in this scenario, the answer is a: The matter looks different, but the amount stays the same. Next time you toss a baseball, remember that destruction might create a glorious glass confetti, but it doesn’t create new matter!