1. National 3 Unit 2 – Nature’s Chemistry
Fuels and Energy
National 3 Unit 2 – Nature’s Chemistry

2. What is a fuel?
A fuel is a substance that can be burned to release energy

3. The Fire Triangle
A fire needs 3 things in order to keep burning: If the fire is starved of one or more of these it will go out.

4. Fire Extinguishers Video
Different fire extinguishers are used for different fuel sources.
Video

5. Combustion
Fuels containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms are known as hydrocarbons. When a hydrocarbon burns it is known as combustion. Hydrocarbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + water You can test for the production of carbon dioxide using lime water: Carbon dioxide turns lime water cloudy

6. Different Fuels
Here are some different fuels with some advantages and disadvantages:
Fuel
Advantage
Disadvantage
Petrol
Provides a lot of energy
It is a finite resource- it will eventually run out
Alcohol
It is renewable – can be remade
Need a lot of landmass to make it
Biomass
It is expensive to make them

7. Everyday Consumer Products
National 3 Unit 2 – Nature’s Chemistry

8. Plants
Plants (producers) are the first source of energy in all food chains. They change light energy from the sun into chemical energy that animals (consumers) can use.

9. Fertilisers
Fertilisers are chemicals that are used to help plants grow. They contain minerals that the plant needs in order to grow into a big, healthy plant.

10. Food from Plants
Plants make and store food in the form of starch. We know this because when iodine solution is placed on a leaf, it turns a blue/black colour
Test for starch:
Iodine solution turns from brown to blue/black

11. Alcohol from Plants
Some plants can be used to make alcohol by fermentation.
Fermented Plant
Alcohol Produced
Grapes
Wine
Potatoes
Vodka
Apples
Cider

12. Harmful Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol can damage the body in the following ways:

13. National 3 Unit 2 – Nature’s Chemistry
Plants to Products
National 3 Unit 2 – Nature’s Chemistry

14. Products from Plants Plants can be used to make products we use daily
Poppy
Morphine
Flax
Linen
Aloe Vera
Moisturising cream
Lemon
Shampoo
Lavender
Soap
Peppermint
Mouthwash