The significance of the conservation of mass in chemical reactions is rooted in the principle that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. This law implies that the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products in a chemical reaction. It is foundational in stoichiometry for balancing equations and predicting the outcomes of reactions. By understanding this principle, scientists can quantitatively analyze chemical processes, facilitating advancements in various fields, including chemistry, environmental science, and engineering.