3.2.3

Combustion

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Combustion

Combustion is a fancy name for burning. When you burn a hydrocarbon, you can have complete combustion or incomplete combustion.

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Complete combustion

  • Complete combustion gives a blue flame.
  • Complete combustion produces only carbon dioxide and water.
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Incomplete combustion

  • Incomplete combustion gives an orange smoky flame.
    • The orange colour is due to small particles of pure carbon glowing red hot.
  • Incomplete combustion gives some carbon dioxide, some water, but also pure carbon, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.
  • Incomplete combustion is more likely with longer chain alkanes, as they need more oxygen to combust completely.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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