Combustion

Combustion

Burning of a fuel

Hydrocarbons

Fuels made of only hydrogen + carbon that burn in oxygen to make carbon dioxide + water.

Oxidation Reaction

A reaction involving the combination of a substance with oxygen.

Conservation of Mass

Mass of reactants = mass of products in a reaction.

Phlogiston

A debunked theory that suggested burning stuff released a substance called phlogiston.

Fire Triangle

Fire needs: Fuel + Heat + Oxygen; removing any of those = no fire.

Water Fire Extinguisher

Cools down a fire.

Powder/CO₂ Fire Extinguisher

Removes oxygen from a fire.

Foam Fire Extinguisher

Cools down a fire and removes oxygen.

Acid Rain

Caused by sulfur dioxide + nitrogen oxides dissolving in rain.

Complete Combustion

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → CO₂ + Water.

Incomplete Combustion

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → CO₂ + Water + CO (carbon monoxide) + Soot.

Fossil Fuels

Hydrocarbons that may contain sulfur impurities which burn into sulfur dioxide.

Nitrogen Oxides

Pollutants that form in super hot engines.

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gases (like CO₂) trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.

Global Warming

Too much CO₂ from burning fuels leads to climate change.

Catalytic Converters

Devices that can reduce acid rain by converting harmful gases.

Chimney Scrubbers

Devices that help reduce acid rain by filtering harmful emissions.

Pollutants

Substances that harm people + nature

Hazard Symbols

Icons that indicate if something is flammable

Oil Fires

Never use water on oil fires as it can make them worse (explosively worse).