Define complete Define incomplete

What is combustion?
combustion? combustion?

Equation for the

State the products of
complete combustion State the products of
Incomplete
of a hydrocarbon e.g. Combustion
Combustion
(propane)

Products of
Products of
Incomplete Why is carbon
Incomplete
Combustion (Carbon monoxide toxic?
Combustion (Carbon)
Monoxide)
A reaction in which some of
the atoms in the fuel are not
fully oxidised, producing
carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and soot (unburnt
carbon).
A reaction in which all of the
atoms in the fuel are fully A chemical reaction in which a
oxidised, producing only compound reacts with oxygen.
carbon dioxide and water.

The combustion of an alkane is Water- which is not a problem

incomplete because there is not
enough oxygen present. All of the
hydrogen atoms in an alkane
molecule are converted into
water, but some of the carbon
atoms can form gaseous carbon
monoxide or solid carbon.
Carbon Dioxide- is a
greenhouse gas and its
increasing production is C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O
responsible for global
warming, climate change and
other problems.

Its toxic as it acts by
preventing the transport of
oxygen around the body by
combining with haemoglobin,
so less haemoglobin is
available to carry as
oxyhaemoglobin.
Carbon Monoxide is a toxic
gas. Its colourless and
odourless. Its described
sometimes as ‘the silent killer'.
Example of an equation:
C3H8 + 4O2 2CO + CO2 + 4H2O
Carbon can be seen as smoke in
the air or soot on the burner.
Example of an equation:
C3H8 + 4O2 C + 2CO2 + 4H2O
Two of the carbon atoms undergo
complete combustion and one
does not which can be harmful.
 Products of
Products of
Incomplete
Incomplete Why are the oxides of
Combustion
Combustion (Oxides of sulfur acidic?
(Unburned
Sulfur)
Hydrocarbons)

Products of
Incomplete Why are oxides of
Effects of Acid Rain
Combustion (Oxides of nitrogen acidic?
Nitrogen)

Which reactions occur

What are catalytic How do catalytic
in the catalytic
converters made of? converters work?
converter?
Both sulfur gases are acidic oxides.
When they dissolve in water in the
atmosphere, they form sulfurous
acid and sulfuric acid. Both acids
contribute to the formation of
acid rain.
SO2 + H2O H2SO3 and
SO3 + H2O H2SO4
Nitrogen dioxide is acidic and can
dissolve in water in the
atmosphere, forming nitrous acid
and nitric acid:
2NO2 + H2O HNO3 + HNO3
Both acids contribute to
environmental damage in the
same way as sulfurous acid and
sulfuric acid.
Example of incomplete
During combustion of alkanes,
combustion is when
atoms of sulfur form sulfur
hydrocarbon does not burn at
dioxide gas and then can react
all. A small proportion of
in the atmosphere to form
hydrocarbons in a fuel are
sulfur trioxide gas.
released in the atmosphere
S + O2 SO2 and
unchanged. They are known
2SO2 + O2 2SO3
as UHC.
Combustion of the atoms of nitrogen
occurs at very high temperatures. The
reactions lead to the formation of Acid rain is responsible for a
several oxides of nitrogen. lot of environmental damage,
The main reaction is:
N2 + O2 2NO
including damage to aquatic
However, nitrogen monoxide can then life in lakes and river, and
react with more oxygen in the damage to crops and forests.
atmosphere:
2NO + O2 2NO2

Oxidation of the carbon monoxide

and the oxidation of unburned One common type is known as three- Catalytic converters use small
hydrocarbons: way catalyst because it can remove quantities of precious metals
2CO + O2 2CO2 and three different pollutants: carbon such as platinum, rhodium
monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and
C8H18 + 12.5O2 8CO2 + oxides of nitrogen.
and palladium. These metals
9H2O As the exhaust gases from the engines are spread thinly over a
Another useful reaction that pass through the catalytic converter, honeycomb mesh to increase
removes two pollutants at once: several reactions can occur.
the surface area for reaction.
2NO + 2CO N2 + 2CO2