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Chapter 7: Problem 12

What is a combustion reaction? Why are they important? Give an example.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A combustion reaction is when a substance reacts with oxygen to release energy; they are important for energy production. An example is the combustion of methane: \( CH_4 + 2O_2 -> CO_2 + 2H_2O + energy \).

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Combustion Reaction

A combustion reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance reacts with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. The general formula for a hydrocarbon fuel combustion reaction can be written as: fuel + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water + energy.
02

Importance of Combustion Reactions

Combustion reactions are important because they are the primary source of energy for various applications, including powering engines, generating electricity, and providing heat for homes and industries. The energy released during combustion is harnessed to perform work.
03

Example of a Combustion Reaction

An example of a combustion reaction is the burning of methane (CH4), which is a common fuel. The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane is: \( CH_4 + 2O_2 -> CO_2 + 2H_2O + energy \).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Chemical Reaction
A chemical reaction is a process where substances, known as reactants, transform into different substances called products. This can involve the breaking and forming of bonds between atoms. A classic example is when hydrogen and oxygen react to form water.

Understanding chemical reactions is fundamental in chemistry because it's how new compounds are created. They are involved in everything from digestion in living organisms to the combustion of fuels that power vehicles.
Energy Release
The term 'energy release' refers to the exothermic process where energy, often in the form of heat or light, is emitted by a system. This often happens during chemical reactions, including combustion, where the energy stored in chemical bonds is released as those bonds are broken and new bonds are formed.

Energy release is a critical component in many aspects of modern life, especially in energy production. Whether it's in the engine of a car or the generation of electricity in power plants, these applications harness this released energy to accomplish work.
Oxidation
Oxidation is a specific type of chemical reaction that involves the transfer of electrons from one substance to another. In terms of combustion, oxidation refers to the process where the reactant (usually a fuel) combines with oxygen.

In contexts outside of combustion, oxidation can occur without the presence of oxygen. For instance, when iron rusts, it undergoes oxidation by reacting with moisture in the air, leading to the formation of iron oxide.
Hydrocarbon Combustion
Hydrocarbon combustion is a specific type of oxidation reaction where a hydrocarbon (a compound consisting only of carbon and hydrogen) reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water, and release energy.

Hydrocarbon fuels are widely used because they are energy-dense and readily available. The oxidation of these compounds in a controlled manner powers internal combustion engines in cars, planes, and many industrial processes.
Balanced Chemical Equation
A balanced chemical equation is one where the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides of the equation. This is crucial because it reflects the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.

To balance an equation, coefficients are placed in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides. Balancing chemical equations is a fundamental skill in chemistry that ensures we can accurately describe and predict the outcomes of chemical reactions.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

When iron rusts, solid iron reacts with gaseous oxygen to form solid iron(III) oxide. Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.

Write a balanced chemical equation for the fermentation of sucrose (C12H22O11) by yeasts in which the aqueous sugar reacts with liquid water to form aqueous ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) and carbon dioxide gas.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a component of acid rain that forms when gaseous sulfur dioxide pollutant reacts with gaseous oxygen and liquid water to form aqueous sulfuric acid. Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction. (Note: This is a simplified representation of this reaction.)

Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of aqueous potassium hydroxide with aqueous iron(III) chloride to form solid iron(III) hydroxide and aqueous potassium chloride.

Write a balanced equation for the photosynthesis reaction in which gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid water react in the presence of chlorophyll to produce aqueous glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen gas.
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