Combustion of Alkanes Flashcards
Why are alkanes generally unreactive?
Alkanes have strong C-C and C-H bonds and are non - polar, making them unreactive towards acids, bases, oxidising agents and reducing agents
What are the products of complete combustion?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H20)
When does incomplete combustion occur, the circumstances?
Incomplete combustion occurs when there is a limited supply of oxygen, producing carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon (soot) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2)
How does the number of carbon atoms in an alkane affect the energy released during combustion?
The more carbon atoms present in an alkane, the greater the energy released during combustion, due to more bonds being broken and formed
What happens when oxygen is extremely limited in combustion?
Carbon (soot) is formed instead of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide
Why do longer - chain hydrocarbons undergo incomplete combustion more easily than shorter chains?
Longer - chain hydrocarbons require more oxygen to burn completely, making them more prone to incomplete combustion in limited oxygen conditions
What poisonous gas is produced during incomplete combustion?
Carbon monoxide is produced which binds to haemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport in the blood
What are the main polluting products produced when hydrocarbon - based fuels burn?
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Carbon particulates
Unburnt hydrocarbons
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Water vapour
How is carbon monoxide (CO) produced, and why is it harmful?
CO is produced by incomplete combustion and is poisonous because it binds to haemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport in the blood
