Which statement correctly explains why the ashes of burnt paper have less mass than the original paper? (1 point)

Question

• Some of the atoms in the paper are destroyed when it burns.
• The ash is created from new atoms that have less mass than the paper.
• Some of the atoms in the paper became gases.
• Other atoms combine with the paper to produce the ash.

Answer 1

The correct statement is: Some of the atoms in the paper became gases.

When paper burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air, producing gases (like carbon dioxide and water vapor) and ash. The mass of the remaining ash is less than that of the original paper because some of the mass has been released into the air as gases.