Four students are given an assignment to find out what they could do to make a reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and zinc (Zn) follow the Law of Conservation of Mass. The students execute a controlled experiment and collect the data in the chart. Which student’s idea would improve the experimental design such that the results would more accurately demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Mass?

Student 1 states that they should add more zinc to the reaction to increase the mass of the products.

Student 2 states that they should decrease the amount of acid to decrease the mass of the products.

Student 3 states that they should put a balloon over the top of the flask to close the system.

Student 4 states that they should add ice to the reaction to stop the reaction from boiling the acid away.