3.1.4 Combustion Reactions Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is combustion?
Combustion is a reaction in chemistry where oxygen reacts with a fuel, releasing energy.
Combustion is a fundamental reaction class studied in various chemistry modules.
What are the two predominant types of combustion of organic substances?
- Complete combustion
- Incomplete combustion
What type of reaction are combustion reactions?
Exothermic
Define complete combustion.
Complete combustion occurs when an organic substance reacts with abundant oxygen, producing only carbon dioxide and water.
What is the general equation for complete combustion?
hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
What is an example of complete combustion?
The blue roaring flame of a bunsen burner with its air hole open.
What characterizes incomplete combustion?
It occurs with limited oxygen, producing carbon monoxide and/or carbon soot.
Why is incomplete combustion undesirable?
- Produces carbon monoxide (toxic gas)
- Produces carcinogenic carbon soot
- Releases less energy than complete combustion
What is the general equation for incomplete combustion?
hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide and/or carbon soot and/or water
What is an example of incomplete combustion?
The yellow safety flame of a bunsen burner with its air hole closed.
Given a hydrocarbon with four carbons and ten hydrogens, what is the complete combustion reaction?
2 C4H10(g) + 3 O2(g) → 8 CO2(g) + 10 H2O(l)
Which common metal can undergo combustion?
Magnesium
What is produced when magnesium combusts?
Magnesium oxide
What is the equation for the combustion of magnesium?
2 Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2 MgO(s)
Complete the sentence: Combustion reactions are ________.
exothermic
Fill in the blank: A combustion reaction is complete when it produces only ________ and ________.
carbon dioxide, water
True or False: Incomplete combustion produces only carbon dioxide and water.
False
