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

Question

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

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

• Some of the atoms in the paper became gases.

This explains that during the burning process, certain components of the paper, such as carbon and volatile compounds, are released as gases, resulting in the remaining ash having less mass than the original paper.