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Combustion
Quick revise
Combustion is the name given to reactions where a fuel combines with oxygen. There are many examples of combustion.
Natural gas (methane) burns to form carbon dioxide and water. This is typical of all hydrocarbons (provided that they have a good supply of oxygen).
Petrol, oil, diesel and jet fuel (kerosine) are all examples of hydrocarbons that undergo combustion.
Combustion Experiment
Something more valuable than £20 is then set alight; one of the scientists! He first must wear fireproof clothes soaked in a flame retardant chemical. Even then fire safety officers are on standby to extinguish the flames after a maximum of 15 seconds.
Exam tip: The products of combustion of hydrocarbons may be harmful to the environment (carbon dioxide) or even toxic (carbon monoxide). Learn and memorise the equations for complete and incomplete combustion of a range of hydrocarbons.
Example Exam Questions:
- Write a symbol equation to show pentane burning to make carbon and water
- Write a symbol equation to show pentane burning completely.
- Explain why it is that larger hydrocarbons burn with increasingly smoky flames.
