A combustion reaction occurs when a substance reacts quickly with oxygen (O2 ). For example, in the Figure usually referred to as fuel. The products of a complete combustion reaction include carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and water vapor (H2 O). The reaction typically gives off heat and light as well. The general equation for a complete combustion reaction is: Fuel + O2  CO2 + H2 O The burning of charcoal is a combustion reaction.  The fuel that burns in a combustion reaction contains compounds called hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain only carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). The charcoal pictured in the Figure 1.1 consists of hydrocarbons. So do fossil fuels such as natural gas. Natural gas is a fuel that is commonly used in home furnaces and gas stoves. The main component of natural gas is the hydrocarbon called methane (CH4 ). You can see a methane flame in the Figure 1.2. The combustion of methane is represented by the equation: CH4 + 2O2  CO2 + 2H2 O The combustion of methane gas heats a pot on a stove. Q: Sometimes the flame on a gas stove isnt just blue but has some yellow or orange in it. Why might this occur? A: If the flame isnt just blue, the methane isnt getting enough oxygen to burn completely, leaving some of the carbon unburned. The flame will also not be as hot as a completely blue flame for the same reason.
A combustion reaction occurs when a substance reacts quickly with oxygen ( O2 ) . For example , in the Figure usually referred to as fuel . The products of a complete combustion reaction include carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) and water vapor ( H2 O ) . The reaction typically gives off heat and light as well . The general equation for a complete combustion reaction is : Fuel + O2 CO2 + H2 O The burning of charcoal is a combustion reaction . The fuel that burns in a combustion reaction contains compounds called hydrocarbons . Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain only carbon ( C ) and hydrogen ( H ) . The charcoal pictured in the Figure 1.1 consists of hydrocarbons . So do fossil fuels such as natural gas . Natural gas is a fuel that is commonly used in home furnaces and gas stoves . The main component of natural gas is the hydrocarbon called methane ( CH4 ) . You can see a methane flame in the Figure 1.2 . The combustion of methane is represented by the equation : CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2 O The combustion of methane gas heats a pot on a stove . Q : Sometimes the flame on a gas stove is nt just blue but has some yellow or orange in it . Why might this occur ? A : If the flame is nt just blue , the methane is nt getting enough oxygen to burn completely , leaving some of the carbon unburned . The flame will also not be as hot as a completely blue flame for the same reason .
most fuels in combustion reactions are compounds called
most fuels in combustion reactions are compounds called
hydrocarbons.
hydrocarbons.