What is the energy transformation present when the carbon compounds in wood are burned?
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When the carbon compounds in wood are burned, the energy transformation that takes place is a chemical energy to thermal energy conversion.
To understand this transformation, we need to break it down step by step:
Step 1: When wood is burned, a chemical change called combustion occurs. The heat from a flame or another ignition source breaks the carbon-carbon bonds and carbon-hydrogen bonds in the wood.
Step 2: As these chemical bonds are broken, new chemical bonds are formed with oxygen from the air. This process releases large amounts of energy stored in the chemical bonds of the wood.
Step 3: The released energy is primarily in the form of heat, which raises the temperature of the surroundings. This heat can be felt as warmth when standing close to the fire.
In summary, the energy transformation occurring during the burning of wood involves the conversion of the stored chemical energy in the carbon compounds into thermal energy, which is typically released as heat.