ash

Ash is the powdery residue left after burning organic material, such as wood or paper. It mostly consists of minerals and inorganic compounds that were in the original material, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Ash provides clues about the composition of the burned material and can have practical uses, such as fertilizing soil or in industrial processes. Its appearance and chemical makeup vary depending on what was burned, making it valuable for analysis in fields like archaeology, environmental science, and agriculture.