A pile of firewood is more stable as ash and smoke than firewood. Why does this pile of firewood not immediately release the energy in Its chemical bonds? (use the word activation energy in your answer)
The stability of a pile of firewood as ash and smoke arises from the fact that the activation energy required to initiate the combustion process is not readily available. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction.
In the case of firewood, the chemical bonds that hold the energy within the wood molecules need to be broken in order to release that energy. However, the activation energy required to break these bonds and initiate the combustion process is relatively high. This activation energy can come from various sources such as heat, flame, or sparks.
When firewood is in the form of a pile, it lacks an efficient source of activation energy. The individual wood pieces are not exposed adequately to heat or flame, and as a result, the activation energy is not met. Therefore, the energy stored within the firewood's chemical bonds does not immediately release, and the pile remains stable.
However, if an external source of activation energy is introduced, such as a match or a lighter, it provides the necessary energy to overcome the activation energy barrier. Once this energy threshold is surpassed, the combustion process begins, and the stored energy in the chemical bonds of the firewood molecules is released in the form of heat, light, and smoke. This transformation leads to the pile of firewood being converted into ash and smoke, which are more stable states than firewood itself.