When wood is burned, the ashes weigh less than the original wood, so this is a violation of the law of conservation of mass.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted into different forms. When wood is burned, the carbon in the wood combines with oxygen from the air to form carbon dioxide gas, which is released into the atmosphere. This means that the mass of the wood is not lost, but rather has been converted into a different form (carbon dioxide gas and ashes). Although the ashes may weigh less than the original wood, the mass has not actually been lost.

When Wood Is Burned, the Ashes Weigh Less Than the Original