What energy is released when you burn a marshmallow?

When you burn a marshmallow, chemical energy stored in the marshmallow is converted into heat energy and light energy. The marshmallow is composed of various compounds, primarily sugar (sucrose), which contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. When the marshmallow is ignited, these atoms react with oxygen from the surrounding air in a process called combustion.

During combustion, the chemical bonds holding the atoms together in the marshmallow molecules break, and new bonds form between the carbon and hydrogen atoms from the marshmallow and the oxygen atoms from the air. This exothermic reaction releases heat and light energy. The exact amount of energy released depends on the mass of the marshmallow and its composition.

Apart from heat and light energy, the combustion of a marshmallow also produces various gaseous products, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). These gases escape into the atmosphere, further contributing to the energy dispersal from the burning marshmallow.