Combustion of Hydrocarbons Quiz

Combustion of Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons are molecular compounds containing carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds.
• Many fuels contain impurities like sulfur compounds and heavy metals, which pollute the air.
• Burning hydrocarbons significantly contributes to carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere.
• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Water vapor also contributes.
• Combustion reactions can be complete or incomplete, depending on the products formed.

Background Information

• Organic compounds contain one or more carbon-carbon bonds. Many also contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.
• Examples of hydrocarbon structures were provided in the form of chemical diagrams.

Combustion Reactions

• Complete combustion requires ample oxygen.

• The general equation for complete combustion is: Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy

• For example, the complete combustion of propane (C₃H₈) is: C₃H₈(g) + 5O₂(g) → 3CO₂(g) + 4H₂O(g) + Energy.

• The general equation for a combustion reaction for any compound is: Compound + Oxygen → Oxides of the Compound

• For example, the combustion of sulfur is: S₈(s) + 8O₂(g) → 8SO₂(g)

Incomplete Combustion

• Incomplete combustion occurs when the oxygen supply is limited.
• Incomplete combustion produces a wider range of products than complete combustion.
• Incomplete combustion is also known as "fuel rich."
• Flames from incomplete combustion are often yellow, sooty, and cooler than those from complete combustion.
• The products of incomplete combustion of heptane (C₇H₁₆) can include carbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. Various equations were presented as examples, with varying amounts of carbon monoxide and carbon being produced.

Further Study

• Refer to pages 194-195 for more details on the concerns regarding incomplete combustion.

Test your knowledge on the combustion of hydrocarbons, including the processes involved, the impact of impurities, and the differences between complete and incomplete combustion. Understand the role of hydrocarbons in environmental issues, such as air pollution and climate change.