Energy from Combustion

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to energy from combustion, fossil fuels, and related processes in chemistry.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of ancient organisms.

Combustion

A chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer, producing heat and light.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds consisting exclusively of hydrogen and carbon, typically used as fuels.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy in the form of heat.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings.

Kinetic Energy

The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy based on an object's position or composition.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction.

Energy Efficiency

A measure of how much usable energy is produced from a given amount of energy input.

Ethanol

A renewable fuel derived from plants, commonly made from corn, used as a gasoline additive.

Biodiesel

A renewable fuel made from fatty acids and used as an alternative to petroleum-based diesel.

Thermal Energy

The total kinetic energy of particles in a substance, often perceived as heat.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy transformations increase the entropy of the universe.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The law stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

Coalification

The natural process by which buried plant material transforms into coal.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that are replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and biofuels.

Octane Rating

A measure of the performance of gasoline in engines; higher ratings indicate less knocking.

Thermal Cracking

A method used to break down larger hydrocarbon molecules into gasoline and diesel.

Fractional Distillation

A separation process that divides a mixture into its components based on boiling points.

Energy Skate Park

An interactive simulation that illustrates the principles of energy transformation and conservation.