Question
Which statement correctly explains why the ashes of burnt paper have less mass than the original paper? (1 point)
• The ash is created from new atoms that have less mass than the paper.
• Some of the atoms in the paper are destroyed when it burns.
• Other atoms combine with the paper to produce the ash.
• Some of the atoms in the paper became gases.
• The ash is created from new atoms that have less mass than the paper.
• Some of the atoms in the paper are destroyed when it burns.
• Other atoms combine with the paper to produce the ash.
• Some of the atoms in the paper became gases.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct statement is: **Some of the atoms in the paper became gases.**
When paper burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction that produces gases (like water vapor and carbon dioxide), which are released into the atmosphere. This loss of mass from the conversion of solid material into gas accounts for the lower mass of the ashes compared to the original paper.
When paper burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction that produces gases (like water vapor and carbon dioxide), which are released into the atmosphere. This loss of mass from the conversion of solid material into gas accounts for the lower mass of the ashes compared to the original paper.