Carbon Chemistry - Combustion Flashcards
What is combustion?
The chemical reaction between a fuel and oxygen. Involves the reaction of organic molecules in the fuels with oxygen gas in the atmosphere.
What is the word equation for complete combustion?
Fuel + oxygen -> CO2 + water
Describe complete combustion.
When fuels react with oxygen they burn, releasing a lot of energy as heat. When oxygen is plentiful, fuels undergo complete combustion where all carbon atoms react to form CO2. A blue flame hotter flame would be seen.
What is the word equation for incomplete combustion?
Fuel + (limited) oxygen -> CO or C + Water
Why do alkenes TEND to undergo incomplete combustion when compared to alkanes and alcohols?
Because alkenes have a higher ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms, meaning that any available oxygen is used to form water and the remaining oxygen has a high number of carbon atoms to react with. Some C will react with oxygen to form CO, but once the available oxygen atoms have reacted the remaining carbon atoms remain un-bonded and appear as soot.
How is soot from incomplete combustion dangerous? ON HUMAN HEALTH
Carbon particles can affect the lungs if INHALED, and may cause respiratory problems including ASTHMA and even LUNG CANCER.
They may even get into the bloodstream and cause BLOCKAGES in the ARTERIES leading to HEART DISEASE.
How is carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion dangerous? ON HUMAN HEALTH
CO is dangerous because it is colourless, odourless and very toxic.
When oxygen is inhaled and enters the bloodstream it binds with haemoglobin to form OXYHAEMOGLOBIN. The oxyhaemoglobin releases the oxygen when it arrives at the cells.
However when CO is inhaled and enters the bloodstream it also binds with the haemoglobin and forms CARBOXYHAEMOGLOBIN. Haemoglobin does not release CO easily. As more CO is inhaled more and more haemoglobins are turned into carboxyhaemoglobins, causing a lack of oxygens in the cells and causes body tissues and cells to die, leading to the death of the victim.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning = headaches, dizziness, convulsions, respiratory arrest, unconsciousness and death.
What are fuels?
Substances which are burned to release energy
