35. What must be true about the cut pieces, sawdust, and original uncut board, according to the law of conservation of matter?
Answer: A
The mass of the uncut board equals the mass of the large pieces plus the mass of the sawdust.
According to the law of conservation of matter, the mass of the original uncut board must equal the combined mass of the resulting large pieces and the sawdust generated during the cutting process.
A) The mass of the uncut board equals the mass of the large pieces plus the mass of the sawdust.
This statement accurately reflects the law of conservation of matter. When the board is cut, the total mass remains constant; thus, the mass of the uncut board must equal the sum of the masses of the cut pieces and the sawdust produced.
B) The total mass of the sawdust equals the mass of the large pieces.
This option is incorrect because it implies that the mass of the sawdust is equal to the mass of the large pieces alone, neglecting the mass of the original board. The sawdust is a byproduct of the cutting process, and its mass should be accounted for in addition to the mass of the large pieces.
C) The mass of the uncut board equals the total mass of the large pieces.
This statement is also incorrect as it fails to include the mass of the sawdust. According to the conservation of matter, the uncut board's mass must account for both the mass of the large pieces and the sawdust produced from the cutting.
D) The total mass of the sawdust equals the mass of the large pieces minus the mass of the uncut board.
This statement is incorrect because it misrepresents the relationship between the masses. The mass of the sawdust cannot be calculated by subtracting the mass of the uncut board from the mass of the large pieces, as this would imply a loss of mass, contrary to the law of conservation of matter.
Conclusion
Option A is definitively correct as it aligns with the fundamental principle of the conservation of matter, which states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a closed system. All other options fail to uphold this principle by either omitting necessary components or misrepresenting the relationships between the masses involved in the cutting process.