Reactivity 1.3 Flashcards
Combustion reaction (endo/exo)
Exothermic
Standard enthalpy of combustion
Enthalpy change when one mole of substance in its standard state combusts completely in oxygen under standard conditions
Specific energy of a fuel formula
Energy released from the fuel / mass of fuel consumed
Specific energy of a fuel units
kJ kg-1
Fossil fuel formation
Formed from buried organisms that have undergone reduction under pressure
Main fossil fuels
Coal, crude oil, natural gas
Crude oil
Mixture of hydrocarbons (mainly alkanes)
Natural gas pros/cons
- Clean, easily transportable, higher specific energy density
- Global warming, limited lifespan, uneven distribution (fracking)
Oil pros/cons
- Easily transported, convenient, feedstock
- Global warming/acid rain, limited lifespan, risk of pollution
Coal pros/cons
- Present in large quantities, can be converted to synthetic liquid/gases, energy dense, longer lifespan
- Global warming/acid rain, not easily transported, dangerous mining, dirty
Greenhouse effect
Incoming radiation from the sun is UV/visible, most is absorbed, some reflected as IR. Greenhouses gases absorb some radiated infrared heat and reradiate it to the Earth.
Why do greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation?
Molecules increase their vibrational state when they absorb infrared radiation. Three of their vibrational modes are IR active and the dipole changes as they vibrate.
Which vibrational mode of carbon dioxide does not produce a change in dipole and is IR inactive?
Symmetrical stretch as the molecule remains symmetrical.
Which vibrational modes of carbon dioxide produce a change in dipole and are IR active?
Asymmetrical stretch and two symmetrical bends
How can you find the CO2 equivalent of a greenhouse gas?
By multiplying its 100 year global warming potential (GWP)