The heat and large amount of surface area allows the iron in the steel wool to burn or combine with the oxygen in the air. This accelerated oxidation is rusting. The steel wool weighs more after it is burned. Since oxygen atoms have mass and are joined to the iron atoms, the resultant compound weighs more.Click to see full answer. In this manner, what happens to steel wool when it burns?The first thing to understand is that steel wool is actually mostly iron (Fe). These temperatures cause the iron to react with the oxygen (O2) in the air and creates iron oxide (FeO2). This reaction releases heat, heating up the next bit of iron and so on, causing a cascading reaction through the steel wool.Additionally, is burning steel wool reversible? Combustion or burning of steel wool is also an example of an irreversible reaction. Steel wool is actually mostly iron (Fe and if it reacts with oxygen in the air it will form iron oxide which cannot be transformed back to the original material. Similarly, it is asked, why does mass increase when burned? When everyday metals burn, they has a reciprocated reaction in relation to the wood. Because of this we can see an increase in mass when burning these metals. Metals do not form ash, they gain mass when burned. This process is similar to the rusting of iron; the metal is bonding with the oxygen, increasing it’s mass.Is burning steel wool dangerous?Burning steel wool is potentially dangerous. Don’t underestimate the potential danger – this article summarises the precautions you need to take. We are not responsible if you get burnt or set something alight.