Oxidation + Combustion Flashcards
What is formed when an element burns in oxygen?
An oxide. This type of reaction is known as an oxidation reaction because the element is gaining oxygen.
Metal oxides
Metal oxides are often insoluble in water, but if they do dissolve they tend to form alkaline solutions
Non-metal oxides
Oxides are often soluble in water and tend to form acidic solutions
What is combustion?
Combustion is the scientific word for burning. It is a type of chemical reaction. It takes place when a substance burns in oxygen to form products and release energy.
What happens during combustion?
When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen from the air, carbon dioxide and water vapour produced, as well as releasing energy.
Test for carbon dioxide gas
Turn limewater cloudy
Test for water
Turn copper (II) sulphate from white to blue and cobalt chloride paper from blue to pink
What is complete combustion?
Complete combustion needs a plenty for supply of air so that the elements in the fuel react fully with oxygen
Equation for combustion
hydrocarbon + oxygen => carbon dioxide + water
What is incomplete combustion?
Incomplete, combustion occurs when a fuel burns with a limited supply of oxygen instead of forming carbon dioxide (CO2), you form carbon monoxide (CO) or sometimes just carbon (soot).
Is carbon monoxide poisonous ?
Carbon monoxide is poisonous. It binds to the haemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing oxygen from getting to your vital organs.
Important information
All combustion reactions are oxidation reactions, but not all oxidation reactions are combustion reactions. Some substances react with oxygen without burning, e.g. iron rusting
Similarity between combustion and oxidation
They both give oxides as their products
