Which gas is a byproduct of burning graphite?

When graphite burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen from the air, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide. This process occurs because graphite is a form of carbon, and when carbon combusts in the presence of oxygen, the primary byproduct is carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is a significant component of Earth's atmosphere and is produced by various natural and human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and biomass. In contrast, ozone is a specific molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, which does not form from graphite combustion. Nitrogen is an inert gas that typically does not react under these conditions. Aqua, or water, can be produced in combustion reactions, particularly when hydrogen-containing compounds are burned, but it is not a primary byproduct of burning graphite. Thus, carbon dioxide is the correct answer, as it accurately describes the gas released during the combustion of graphite.