The chemical composition of wood varies from species to species, but is approximately 50% carbon, 42% oxygen, 6% hydrogen, 1% nitrogen, and 1% other elements (mainly calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and manganese) by weight. Wood also contains sulfur, chlorine, silicon, phosphorus, and other elements in small quantity. COUNT 5
QSN1 What approximate percentage of carbon does wood have? ANS1 50% QSN2 What element makes up about 6% of the chemical composition of wood? ANS2 hydrogen QSN3 About what percentage of wood is composed of nitrogen? ANS3 1% QSN4 Which element in wood composes about 42% of its weight? ANS4 oxygen QSN5 What element joins potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and sodium to make a combined 1% of the chemical composition of wood? ANS5 magnesium