Chemistry of Hydrocarbons and Combustion

These flashcards cover key concepts related to hydrocarbons, combustion reactions, and their environmental impacts.

Hydrocarbon

A molecule made of carbon and hydrogen atoms ONLY.

Crude Oil

A fossil fuel made from the remains of dead sea creatures and plants that have been compressed and heated underground over millions of years, resulting in a complex mix of hydrocarbons.

Fractional Distillation

A separating method that depends on the different boiling points of liquids in a mixture, used to separate crude oil into different 'fractions'.

Fractional distillation fraction column names from cool to very hot

Refinery Gases

Gasoline (petrol)

Kerosene

Diesel

Fuel Oil

Bitumen

What are refinery gases used for?

Domestic heating and cooking

What is gasoline (petrol) used for?

Gasoline is used as a fuel in cars

What is kerosene used for?

Kerosene is used as a fuel in aircraft

What is diesel used for?

Diesel is used as a fuel in some cars and larger vehicles

What is fuel oil used for?

Fuel oil is used as a fuel for large ships and also in some power stations

Fraction

The material collected from fractional distillation containing molecules with similar boiling points.

Viscosity

How 'thick' a liquid is.

Volatility

How easily a liquid evaporates.

Fuel

A substance which when burned releases heat energy.

Combustion Reaction

A reaction when a molecule reacts with oxygen and gives out heat and light energy, e.g. burning fuels.

Complete Combustion + equation

Occurs when oxygen is plentiful, producing carbon dioxide and water.

hydrocarbon + complete oxygen => carbon dioxide + water

Incomplete Combustion

Occurs when insufficient oxygen is present, producing carbon monoxide and potentially soot.

hydrocarbon + insufficient oxygen => carbon monoxide (toxic) + water [less produced] + carbon dioxide + carbon (soot)

Sulfur Dioxide

A gas formed when sulfur reacts with oxygen during combustion, contributing to acid rain.

Nitrogen Oxides

Gases produced when nitrogen in the air reacts with oxygen at high temperatures, often in car engines, contributing to acid rain.

Acid Rain

Rainwater that becomes more acidic due to the reaction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides with water vapour.

Carbon Monoxide

A toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion that binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport in the blood.

consequences of acid rain

-kills aquatic animals and plants

-damages leaves of plants

-reduces uptake of minerals by plants

-corrodes statues and buildings

-pollutes water sources

consequences of climate change caused by global warming

more natural disasters/extreme weather events - forest fires/floods/droughts/flash floods/typhoons

melting ice caps

extinction of animals

loss of habitats

rising sea levels