Combustion of alkanes

Question 1

Define a fuel

Answer 1

Something that releases heat when burnt

Question 2

Why are alkanes used as fuels?

Answer 2

They are highly exothermic

Question 3

What are the products of complete combustion?

Answer 3

CO2

and H2O

Question 4

What are the products of incomplete combustion?

Answer 4

CO and/or C

Question 5

What is needed for complete combustion to occur?

Answer 5

Excess oxygen

Question 6

What are the by-products of combustion?

Answer 6

CO2, SO2, NOx

Question 7

Why do catalytic converters have a honeycomb coating?

Answer 7

An increase in surface area means and an increase in the rate of reaction

Question 8

Name a metal catalyst used in catalytic converters?

Answer 8

Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium

Question 9

What do catalytic converters do?

Answer 9

They remove CO, NOx and unburned hydrocarbons from the exhaust gases, turning them into ‘harmless’ CO2, N2 and H2O.

Question 10

Name the main contributors of global warming

Answer 10

•Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and water vapour (H2O)

Question 11

Why have carbon dioxide levels increased in recent years?

Answer 11

Increasing burning of fossil fuels