Organic ChemistryTopic Summary
Topic Summary: Combustion of Hydrocarbons
Part of Combustion — GCSE Chemistry
This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Combustion of Hydrocarbons within Combustion for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Combustion in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 12 of 12 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 12 of 12
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
Topic Summary: Combustion of Hydrocarbons
Key Terms
- Complete combustion — excess O₂, produces CO₂ + H₂O
- Incomplete combustion — limited O₂, produces CO and/or C
- Carbon monoxide — toxic, colourless, odourless
Complete vs Incomplete
- Complete: blue flame, CO₂ + H₂O, max energy
- Incomplete: yellow flame, CO/C, less energy
- CO binds haemoglobin → prevents O₂ transport
Balancing Equations
- Balance C first → CO₂ count
- Balance H next → H₂O count
- Balance O last → O₂ count
- Check all atoms on both sides
Exam Checklist
- State symbols: CO₂(g), H₂O(l), C(s), CO(g)
- CO = colourless, odourless, toxic
- Yellow flame = incomplete combustion
- Complete = more energy released