<html> Heat from the chemical reaction. Then heat transfer to the air and so on and so forth.<br> Roger<br> <br> <br> At 08:53 AM 22/11/99 +1300, you wrote: <br> <font size=2><blockquote type=cite cite>I confess that I haven't actually done this, but consider taking a handful of jack springs and squashing them into a small jar containing hydrochloric acid (let 'em know whose the boss).  Somehow screw on the lid without the little beasties springing back out and splashing the acid over your hands.  Observe the springs being slowly dissolved away by the acid.  </font><br> <font size=3> <br> </font><font size=2>Question (which I'm not entirely sure what the answer is):  Where does the potential energy go that was contained in the squashed springs?  Newton said that energy must go somewhere, but in this case - where?  Brian Holden, BSc and piano tuner NZ.  </font><br> </blockquote><br> <br> <div>Roger Jolly</div> <div>Saskatoon, Canada.</div> <div>306-665-0213</div> Fax 652-0505 </html>