How will the mass of tea change as you stir in sugar?

Here's why:

* Conservation of Mass: The fundamental principle is that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction (like dissolving sugar in tea).

* Adding Matter: When you add sugar to tea, you are physically adding more matter to the system. This added matter contributes to the total mass.

* Dissolving, Not Disappearing: While the sugar dissolves and appears to disappear, it's still present in the tea. The sugar molecules simply become dispersed throughout the liquid.

Important Note: While the mass increases, the *volume* of the tea might not change noticeably, especially if you use a small amount of sugar.