Combustion & Fossil Fuels Chapter 1.11

Combustion (1.11) In combustion, a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and releases energy. The energy may be in the form of heat and light. Many substances can act as fuels. Ex. Wood, diesel oil, and kerosene

Combustion Combustion is the reaction of one substance with the oxygen around it. Once this reaction occurs heat and light are produced. There are 3 necessary components of combustion: oxygen, fuel and heat. –See page 39 and draw the fire triangle

Combustion Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels were formed from plants, animals, and micro-organisms that lived millions of years ago. –Include coal, oil, natural gas and gasoline. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons. When fossil fuels are burned: Hydrocarbon + Oxygen  Carbon dioxide + water

Fossil Fuels When living things die they decompose. The decomposed matter, if not contained, forms layers of “fuel” which humans figured out how to mine or drill, thereby releasing it from the soil. Examples of fossils fuels include gasoline, coal, oil and natural gas.

Hydrocarbons This is what actually makes up the fossil fuels, it’s a combination of hydrogen and carbon particles. When we burn fuels the word equation is always the same…

Word Equation: Hydrocarbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + water The left side (red) are the REACTANTS The right side (purple) are the PRODUCTS

Combustion and Air Pollution Pollution would not be a huge problem if fossil fuels were made of pure hydrocarbons. Fossil fuels are normally mixtures of different substances. The chemical action of combustion can be less efficient if there is not enough oxygen or heat. Hydrocarbon + Not enough Oxygen  Carbon monoxide + water Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas harmful to the environment.

Car Combustion and Air Pollution 1.Car engines burn gas producing CO. 2.This increases the greenhouse effect. 3.This increased greenhouse effect causes global warming and produces carbon monoxide, smaller hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxides, and nitrogen oxide.

What is the Greenhouse Effect? CO 2 in the atmosphere acts like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping in the heat. This causes an increase in the Earth’s temperature. Average Earth’s temperature is 15 o C

Combustion The Fire Triangle The fire triangle is a convenient way to remember the three components of any combustion reaction. Removing any one of these makes the triangle incomplete and puts out the fire. Oxygen Heat Fuel

Homework Answer questions 1-5 on page 39