40.2: Introduction
- Page ID
- 29349
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Most of the substances you see around you are a combination of elements; they are compounds. Many compounds contain similar elements, and 90% of compounds contain carbon. When energy is added to a substance, the compounds can be broken into new substances which are the products of the chemical reaction. As a candle (\(\ce{C25H52}\)) burns in the oxygen (\(\ce{O2}\)) provided by air, new substances will result. When sugar (\(\ce{C12H22O11}\)) is heated, the molecule will split into three substances. Both wax and sugar decompose into the same products.
