When we burn a log in air, which of the following products is most directly released as a result of the combustion of its main organic components?

• A. CH_4 and CO
• B. O_2 and N_2
• C. C_6H_{12}O_6 and H_2
• D. CO_2 and H_2O

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main organic components in the log that undergo combustion. Typically, these are hydrocarbons or compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, such as cellulose or other carbohydrates.
2. Recall the general combustion reaction for organic compounds, which involves reacting with oxygen (O_2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO_2) and water (H_2O) as the primary products.
3. Write a balanced combustion equation for a generic organic compound, for example, a hydrocarbon C_xH_y reacting with oxygen: C_xH_y + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O.
4. Understand that during complete combustion, carbon atoms in the fuel are oxidized to CO_2, and hydrogen atoms are oxidized to H_2O, which are the most direct products released.
5. Recognize that other options like CH_4 and CO, or O_2 and N_2, are either reactants or intermediate species, and C_6H_{12}O_6 and H_2 are not products of combustion but rather reactants or unrelated compounds.