C1 4.3: Burning Fuels

Key Points

When we burn hydrocarbon fuels in plenty of air the carbon and hydrogen in the fuel are completely oxidised. They produce carbon dioxide and water
Sulfur impurities in fuels burn to form sulfur dioxide which can cause acid rain
Changing the conditions in which we burn hydrocarbon fuels can change the products made
In insufficient oxygen, we get poisonous carbon monoxide gas formed. We can also get particulates of carbon (soot) and unburnt hydrocarbons, especially if the fuel is diesel
At the high temperatures in engines, nitrogen from the air reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides. These cause breathing problems and can cause acid rain.

	Created by Cymah Maglio over 10 years ago

Year 11/ GCSE Chemistry (C1) Note on Chemistry C1, created by Cymah Maglio on 30/05/2014.