Question

Think of the burning of wood in a campfire. Why can't this reaction reach equilibrium?(1 point) Responses The reaction releases energy. The reaction releases energy. Mass is lost during the reaction. Mass is lost during the reaction. The exact amount of wood has to be added over time. The exact amount of wood has to be added over time. The reaction is not reversible.

Answer 1

The correct response is: The reaction is not reversible.

In a campfire, the combustion of wood involves a chemical reaction where wood (primarily organic compounds) reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and other gases, along with the release of energy (heat and light). Once the wood has combusted into these products, the original wood cannot be regenerated from the products, making the reaction essentially irreversible under normal conditions. This is why the reaction cannot reach equilibrium, as the forward reaction (combustion) continues until all the fuel (wood) is consumed, and the reverse reaction (reforming wood from CO2 and H2O) does not occur.