<P> A further principle of conservation was stated by Epicurus (341--270 BC) who, describing the nature of the Universe, wrote that "the totality of things was always such as it is now, and always will be". </P> <P> Jain philosophy, a non-creationist philosophy based on the teachings of Mahavira (6th century BC), states that the universe and its constituents such as matter cannot be destroyed or created . The Jain text Tattvarthasutra (2nd century AD) states that a substance is permanent, but its modes are characterised by creation and destruction . A principle of the conservation of matter was also stated by Nasīr al - Dīn al - Tūsī (1201--1274). He wrote that "A body of matter cannot disappear completely . It only changes its form, condition, composition, color and other properties and turns into a different complex or elementary matter". </P> <P> The principle of conservation of mass was first outlined by Mikhail Lomonosov (1711--1765) in 1748 . He proved it by experiments--though this is sometimes challenged . Antoine Lavoisier (1743--1794) had expressed these ideas in 1774 . Others whose ideas pre-dated the work of Lavoisier include Joseph Black (1728--1799), Henry Cavendish (1731--1810), and Jean Rey (1583--1645). </P> <P> The conservation of mass was obscure for millennia because of the buoyancy effect of the Earth's atmosphere on the weight of gases . For example, a piece of wood weighs less after burning; this seemed to suggest that some of its mass disappears, or is transformed or lost . This was not disproved until careful experiments were performed in which chemical reactions such as rusting were allowed to take place in sealed glass ampoules; it was found that the chemical reaction did not change the weight of the sealed container and its contents . The vacuum pump also enabled the weighing of gases using scales . </P>

Who discovered the law of conservation of matter
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