Types of Chemical Reactions (3.2) Combustion Reactions
The Fire Triangle for a combustion reaction to occur, 3 things must be present: Fuel Oxygen Heat
a hydrocarbon is a compound that is composed only of the elements carbon and hydrogen ex: methane gas CH4(g) combustion of a hydrocarbon always produces the compounds, carbon dioxide and water. ex: CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)
Hydrocarbons A general formula for a hydrocarbon is CxHy Hydrocarbons are often used as fuels Examples Name Formula methane CH4(g) propane C3H8(g) butane C4H10(g) acetylene C2H2(g)
Combustion Reactions Combustion of hydrocarbons can be complete or incomplete. the products depend on the amount of O2 present
Complete Combustion occurs when a sufficient amount of O2 is present all the C atoms and H atoms react to form CO2 and H2O In general: hydrocarbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + water CxHy + O2(g) CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Incomplete Combustion occurs if there is not a sufficient amount of O2 ie. fuel is not completely converted into carbon dioxide and water products include H2O as well as any combination of the following: CO C CO2 examples: 2 CH4(g) + 3 O2(g) 2 CO(g) + 4 H2O(g) 2C3H8(g)+ 7O2(g) 2C(s) + 2CO(g) + 2CO2(g) + 8H2O(g)