Chapter 3: Problem 88

When wood burns, it combines with oxygen from the atmosphere to produce carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash. What would you have to do to prove that the law of conservation of matter is not disobeyed when wood burns?

Short Answer

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To prove that the law of conservation of matter is not disobeyed when wood burns, set up a controlled, sealed environment to measure the mass of reactants (wood and oxygen) and products (carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash). Burn the wood completely, then compare the initial and final masses. If the sums are equal, the conservation of matter holds during the combustion of wood.

Step by step solution

Preparing for the experiment

First, we need to set up a controlled environment to accurately measure the mass of the reactants and products. We need a sealed container that allows air to flow in and out while preventing the escape of carbon dioxide and water vapor. Additionally, we will need a scale to measure the initial mass of the wood and oxygen and the final mass of the products.

Measuring the initial mass

Once the experiment is set up, measure the mass of the wood sample and the mass of the oxygen present in the container. Record these values, as we will need them later to compare with the mass of the products.

Burning the wood

Burn the wood inside the sealed container, ensuring that the air flow is controlled and no carbon dioxide or water vapor escapes. Let the combustion process take place completely, turning the wood into carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash.

Measuring the final mass

After the combustion process is complete, carefully measure the mass of the remaining ash as well as the mass of the carbon dioxide and water vapor trapped in the container.

Comparing the initial mass with the final mass

Compare the sum of the initial masses (wood and oxygen) with the sum of the final masses (carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash). If the two sums are equal, we can conclude that the law of conservation of matter holds during the combustion of wood because no mass is lost or gained in the process.

Drawing a conclusion

Based on the comparison between the initial and final masses, state whether or not the law of conservation of matter has been disproved in this experiment. If the masses are equal, it means the law has not been disobeyed, and the conservation of matter holds during the combustion of wood.

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When wood burns, it combines with oxygen from the atmosphere to produce carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash. What would you have to do to prove that the law of conservation of matter is not disobeyed when wood burns?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Preparing for the experiment

Measuring the initial mass

Burning the wood

Measuring the final mass

Comparing the initial mass with the final mass

Drawing a conclusion

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