Combustion Reactions

Combustion Reactions

• Combustion reaction: a reaction where a compound reacts with oxygen to produce the oxides of the elements that make up the compound

• Complete Combustion: when an excess of oxygen reacts with a hydrocarbon to produce CO2 + H2O. This reaction releases energy.

• Ex. Balance the following equation:

  1

  ---

  C3H8(g) +

  5

  ---

  O2(g) -->

  3

  ---

  CO2(g) +

  4

  ---

  H2O(g)

• Incomplete Combustion: when there is insufficient oxygen present and the oxygen reacts with a hydrocarbon to form CO2 + CO + H2O + C. Here, the elements in the fuel don't combine with oxygen to the greatest extent possible.

• Note: you can't balance incomplete combustion reactions :)