Combustion
Chemistry: Cambridge International A Level, topic 3.2.3
Combustion
Combustion is a fancy name for burning. When you burn a hydrocarbon, you can have complete combustion or incomplete combustion.
Complete combustion
- Complete combustion gives a blue flame.
- Complete combustion produces only carbon dioxide and water.
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.
Test yourself on Combustion
Why are flames of incomplete combustion orange?
What are the three additional products from incomplete combustion?