Reactivity 1.3 – Energy from fuels

1.3.1 – Combustion reactions

📌 When does combustion occur?

• Combustion is the result of substances being burnt in the presence of oxygen
• Metals form basic (covalent) oxides while non-metals form acidic (ionic) oxides

📌 Combustion of organic compounds

• Combustion reactions where energy is released usefully (such as hydrocarbons and alcohols) are used as fuels
• Substances with high activation energy are used so combustion does not occur spontaneously
• When substances produce ONLY water and carbon dioxide (for compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon) as a result of combustion, this is known as ‘complete’ combustion
• Incomplete combustion occurs when carbon monoxide gas or solid carbon (soot) is produced