Chemistry- Fuels and combustion C1.4

Fuels

- burn to provide useful energy by reacting with oxygen

- most of energy released as heat and some as light

- contain hydrocarbons

when a fuel is burned and has plenty of air, complete combustion takes place.

.e.g. Methane + oxygen → Carbon dioxide + water + energy

propane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy

complete combustion takes place because there is enough oxygen for the elements in the fuel to react fully with oxygen. if there is not enough oxygen , incomplete combustion takes place.

e.g.hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon monoxide + carbon + water

The carbon is released as soot. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, which is one reason why…