Reactivity 1.3 Flashcards

Coal, petroleum (crude oil), and natural gas. All are non-renewable hydrocarbons.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and/or carbon (soot/particulates) along with water. Less energy is released.

Carbon monoxide binds with very high affinity to haemoglobin, displacing oxygen and preventing oxygen transport. It is colourless and odourless.

From sulphur impurities in fossil fuels. SO₂ dissolves in rainwater to form sulphurous/sulphuric acid (acid rain).

Energy released per unit mass of fuel (kJ kg⁻¹ or MJ kg⁻¹).

Energy released per unit volume of fuel (kJ dm⁻³).

Hydrogen (approximately 142 MJ kg⁻¹), but it has very low energy density by volume because it is a gas.

By fermentation of sugars (from sugarcane/corn) using yeast: C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂

The reaction of vegetable oils/fats with methanol (+ base catalyst) to produce biodiesel (FAME) and glycerol.

In theory yes (CO₂ absorbed in growth = CO₂ released in combustion), but in practice NO - farming, processing, and transport all require energy.

Anode: H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ | Cathode: O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ → 2H₂O | Overall: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O

1. Difficult to store H₂ (low energy density by volume, needs high pressure or cryogenic tanks). 2. Most H₂ is currently made from fossil fuels (steam reforming).