Simple molecules to Global warming

lecture 2

What are fossil fuels primarily composed of?

Fossil fuels are primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen-based molecules.

What is the simplest fossil fuel molecule?

The simplest fossil fuel molecule is methane (CH4).

Give an example of a larger fossil fuel molecule than methane.

Examples of larger fossil fuel molecules include butane (C4H10) and octane (C8H18).

What family of hydrocarbons do fossil fuels belong to?

Fossil fuels belong to the alkane family of hydrocarbons.

What process is used to separate crude oil into useful fractions?

Fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil into useful fractions based on carbon chain length.

What carbon chain length ranges are typically separated by fractional distillation?

Typical carbon chain length ranges separated are C1-C4, C5-C8, C8-C10, C10-C14, C14-C19, and greater than C19.

What is catalytic cracking in the context of fossil fuels?

Catalytic cracking is the process of breaking long straight-chain hydrocarbons into shorter chains to increase burning efficiency.

How does isomerism improve fossil fuel properties?

Isomerism changes long straight-chain carbons into shorter branched chains, improving fuel efficiency and octane number.

What is reforming (dehydrocyclisation) in fossil fuel processing?

Reforming involves forming ring compounds from straight-chain hydrocarbons to enhance fuel quality.

What is the purpose of adding oxygenates like methanol and ethanol to fossil fuels?

Adding oxygenates reduces pollution by promoting cleaner combustion.

Write the general chemical reaction for burning methane.

CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O

What are the products of burning a hydrocarbon?

The products are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

What environmental impact is associated with burning fossil fuels?

Burning fossil fuels releases CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

What is the role of oxygen in hydrocarbon combustion?

Oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons to produce carbon dioxide and water during combustion.

Why is balancing chemical equations important in fossil fuel combustion?

Balancing ensures the correct proportions of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms for accurate reaction representation.