Who is known as the "father of chemistry" for his contributions, including the law of conservation of mass?

The title of "father of chemistry" is attributed to Antoine Lavoisier due to his foundational contributions to the field, particularly his formulation of the law of conservation of mass. This law states that in a closed system, matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. This principle provided a new understanding of chemical reactions, emphasizing that the mass of reactants must equal the mass of products.

Lavoisier's work also included establishing a systematic chemical nomenclature and conducting experiments that debunked the phlogiston theory, which was prevalent at the time. His meticulous methods laid the groundwork for modern chemistry and the scientific method. This significant influence on the development of chemistry justifies his recognition as its "father." Other figures, while important in their own rights, contributed in different contexts or fields—Einstein in physics, Curie in radioactivity, and Dalton in atomic theory—but it is Lavoisier's insights into chemical processes that earned him this specific title.