During combustion analysis, what happens to the atoms of a substance when it burns?

• A. The atoms are destroyed and converted into energy.
• B. The atoms are rearranged to form new compounds, typically oxides such as CO2 and H2O.
• C. The atoms combine to form a single large molecule.
• D. The atoms remain unchanged and are released as elemental gases.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that during combustion, the substance reacts with oxygen, causing a chemical change but not destroying atoms.
2. Recall the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
3. Recognize that atoms are rearranged to form new compounds, typically oxides such as carbon dioxide (CO\_2) and water (H\_2O).
4. Note that the original atoms from the substance and oxygen combine in new ways to produce these combustion products.
5. Conclude that the atoms remain intact but are bonded differently, resulting in new molecules rather than being destroyed or remaining elemental.