5.1+Thanoja-+Combustion+of+Hydrocarbons

 **Combustion of Hydrocarbons**

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 Hydrocarbon combustions happen when there are hydrocarbon molecules and oxygen molecules that come together. This makes a combustion reaction, creating a fire. In a combustion reaction a fuel burns in oxygen (normally air). Some common fuels are propane, gasoline and coal. After a combustion reaction there are certain products that are made which are usually water vapour, carbon dioxide, energy and sometimes carbon monoxide and soot. The products of combustion reactions contribute to air pollution unless they are specially treated before they are let out into the atmosphere. There are two types of combustion reactions, one is a complete combustion and the other is an incomplete combustion.
 * __Hydrocarbon Combustions __**

In order for a complete combustion to occur there must be more than enough oxygen present. This means the combustion must take place in a spacious area with a lot of air or it must happen in the open. In a complete combustion the only products will be water vapour, carbon dioxide gas and energy. The equation for a complete combustion is CxHy + O2 = CO2(g) + H2O(g) + energy. For example if there was a combustion of methane the equation would be CH4 + 2O2 = CO2(g) + 2H2O(g) + energy. Complete combustions are the best and most useful because they release the most energy and have the cleanest and hottest flames. You would see a complete combustion in a gas stove or a gas furnace. Since adding oxygen makes the fire hotter you could get a fire that is about 3500ºC. This would happen in an ethyne (acetylene) torch; this torch is hot enough to slice through steel.
 * __Complete Combustion __**

In an incomplete combustion there is a limited supply of oxygen. For this to happen the combustion must happen in an enclosed space or a space that does not have much oxygen in it. A few examples of places where an incomplete combustion could take place are when starting a car or a barbeque machine in a closed garage. Incomplete combustions are said to be fuel rich because there is a lot of fuel (hydrocarbons) but not a lot of oxygen. Incomplete combustions are not as useful because they do not release much energy and their flames are sooty, yellow and are not as hot as flames from a complete combustion. There are still situations where incomplete combustions are wanted like when you are using a lawn mower, you wouldn’t want a fire while mowing your lawn. In a complete combustion the products are carbon dioxide, water vapour, energy, and sometimes carbon monoxide and/or soot. An example would be the equation for heptane which is a hydrocarbon that is found in gasoline C7H16(l) + 7O2 = 3C(s) + 2CO(g) + 2CO2 + 8H2O(g) + energy. This produces soot, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water vapour.
 * __Incomplete Combustion __**



The combustion of hydrocarbons is in no way good for the environment. The products which are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, water and energy can be harmful too. Water and energy are not that harmful but carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and soot are harmful for the environment and to society. Carbon dioxide is a green house gas; therefore it contributes to global warming. Carbon monoxide is a poison which could kill a person if  they were too inhale too much of it, and soot is also dangerous for you because it can cause black lung disease. Propane tanks are everywhere and if they malfunction it can cause an incomplete combustion which is bad for you.
 * __Impacts on the Environment and Society __**



**__Sources__** Harberer Stephen, Kristina Salciccioli, and Milan Sanader, __Chemistry 11.__ Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd, 2011. [] [] []

What I learned:

Ruben’s Wiki Hodo’s Wiki Pratheep’s Wiki
 * Benzene can cause cancer
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 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Super glue was made during WW2
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