When a log burns, what happens to the energy that was once stored in it?

When a log burns, the energy stored in its biomass, primarily in the form of chemical energy, undergoes a transformation during the combustion process. As the log ignites, the heat activates a series of chemical reactions that break down the complex organic molecules within the wood, converting the stored energy into heat and light. This transformation releases energy into the surrounding environment.

The process is a classic example of energy conversion, where chemical energy is transformed into thermal energy (heat) and radiant energy (light). The byproducts of this reaction include carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are released into the atmosphere. This aligns well with the principle of conservation of energy, where energy is neither created nor destroyed but rather changes forms.

While it might seem that energy could be considered lost in the ashes, it is actually transformed rather than merely disappearing. The ashes left behind do not contain the energy that was once in the wood; instead, the energy has been released during combustion in a different form. Thus, the correct understanding encompasses the transformation and release of energy rather than its loss or preservation in another state.