Is it true that when a log burns, some of its matter is converted into carbon dioxide (CO2)?

Review for the KAMSC Honors Biology Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple-choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations to master key concepts. Prepare confidently for your semester exam!

When a log burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction known as combustion. During this process, the organic matter in the log, primarily composed of carbon, reacts with oxygen in the air. As a result of this reaction, carbon dioxide (CO2) is generated as a byproduct. This transformation demonstrates the principles of the law of conservation of mass, where matter is neither created nor destroyed, but rather transformed from one form to another.

In the case of burning wood, the carbon that was part of the log is converted into carbon dioxide gas, which is released into the atmosphere. This process also produces other substances, such as water vapor and various other compounds depending on the completeness of the combustion and the specific materials within the wood. Therefore, the statement that some of the matter in the log is converted into carbon dioxide when it burns is accurate.

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