The energy source of a bonfire is its fuel in the form of wooden logs. The wood contains chemical potential energy in the form of chemical bonds between its atoms. When you burn the logs, these bonds break and new molecules form out of the old atoms (breaking chemical bonds takes energy). When the new molecules form, new bonds form (formation of chemical bonds releases energy). The new bonds that form release more energy than what was required to break the old bonds....this difference in energy between the products (what is produced) and the reactants (the original material...the logs) is where the fire's energy comes from.
The fire gives off this energy in a variety of forms including, most notably, light energy and heat.
The potential energy contained within the logs which are burned is transformed into other forms of energy when the material looses that potential and is changed into ash, Carbon Dioxide, and water.
2007-02-08 09:21:43
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answer #1
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answered by mrjeffy321 7
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Heat of the fire causes the wood to breakdown into flammable hydrocarbon gasses. These combine in a reduction-oxidation reaction with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and steam.
the reaction products are produced containing great thermal energy, ie there component molecules are vibrating very fast.
As well a photons of light are produced which carry away a significant amount of energy and allow us to see "Flame"
2007-02-08 08:15:55
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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A bon fire has stored energy in the wood(chemical). when it is burned you get heat, light and sometimes some sound.
2007-02-08 08:14:12
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answer #3
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answered by science teacher 7
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Use magic
2007-02-08 10:30:57
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answer #4
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answered by Charles H 4
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