What does graphite produce when it is burned?

When graphite, which is a form of carbon, is burned in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes a combustion reaction that results in the production of carbon dioxide. This occurs because the carbon atoms in graphite react with oxygen molecules from the air to produce carbon dioxide gas.

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction can be expressed as follows:

[ C + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 ]

This means that for every carbon atom that burns, one molecule of oxygen is consumed to produce one molecule of carbon dioxide. The formation of carbon dioxide is a key indicator of complete combustion in carbon-based materials.

While carbon monoxide can also result from incomplete combustion due to insufficient oxygen, the burning of graphite in a sufficient oxygen environment typically leads to the production of carbon dioxide as the main gas emitted. Water vapor is produced in combustion processes that involve hydrogen-containing fuels but is not a product of burning graphite alone, and oxygen is consumed rather than produced in this reaction.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the primary output of graphite combustion, which is carbon dioxide.