What is the white stuff in ash?

Question

I have been wondering for a while, when you burn wood it first turns black which I know is carbon but after a while what is left is white ash, what is the chemical composition of this white stuff?

Answer 1

The chemical composition of the white powder will depend upon the type of wood, how green or dry it is and the temperature of the combustion.

Most of this residue is potash (Potassium carbonate with some Calcium carbonate) and caustic potash (Potassium hydroxide). Generally speaking, the ash will contain the carbonates, oxides or hydroxides of the metals present in the wood.

For a more complete breakdown of these substances, see the site below:

Answer 2

It is probably potash (potassium carbonate) as that is where the compound was discovered. Potash is used in making soap and glass.
The site below says that calcium carbonate is highest percentage chemical in wood ash.
Both of these compounds are white

Answer 3

The chemical composition of the white powder will depend upon the type of wood, how green or dry it is and the temperature of the combustion.

Most of this residue is potash (Potassium carbonate with some Calcium carbonate) and caustic potash (Potassium hydroxide). Generally speaking, the ash will contain the carbonates, oxides or hydroxides of the metals present in the wood.

For a more complete breakdown of these substances, see the site below:

Source(s):

http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/bestwo...

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Answer 4

Yes the component is potash/potassium carbonate

This white ash is what remains of the non-flammable minerals which were present in the wood to begin with.

Answer 5

Woah. You can tell I've spent too much time in the ghetto. I thought you were asking about ashy skin. My first thought was dead skin cells. Oops.

Answer 6

that stuff is the ash.

ASH - the grayish-white to black powdery residue left when something is burned.

Answer 7

lye

Answer 8

its an illegal drug that is used in south america