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Difference between revisions of "Combustion"

(Key Stage 3)
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==Key Stage 3==
 
==Key Stage 3==
 
===Meaning===
 
===Meaning===
[[Combustion]] is an [[exothermic]] [[Chemical Reaction|reaction]] that happens when a [[fuel]] burns in the presence of [[oxygen]] releasing [[Thermal Energy|thermal energy]] and [[light]].
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[[Combustion]] is an [[exothermic]] [[Chemical Reaction|reaction]] and a type of [[Oxidation]] [[Chemical Reaction|reaction]] that happens when a [[fuel]] burns in the presence of [[oxygen]] releasing [[Thermal Energy|thermal energy]] and [[light]].
  
 
===About Combustion===
 
===About Combustion===

Revision as of 14:48, 29 September 2018

Key Stage 2

Meaning

Burning is a chemical reaction that happens when something catches fire.

About Burning

Materials can only burn if there is enough air.
Substances cannot burn underwater or in empty space.
Anything that burns is called a fuel.

Examples

SolidBurning.png
LiquidBurning.png
GasBurning.png
A solid fuel burning. A liquid fuel burning. A gas fuel burning.


Note to Teachers

Students often don't recognise the difference between heating and burning. When asked what happens to a substance when it is heated they will say 'burn' when melting would be a more appropriate response. Students also do not always recognise the necessity of oxygen (or at least air) when things burn.

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Combustion is an exothermic reaction and a type of Oxidation reaction that happens when a fuel burns in the presence of oxygen releasing thermal energy and light.

About Combustion

Combustion always happens at high temperatures and gives off light.
Combustion may involve Hydrocarbons. This has the general equation: Fuel + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Combustion may involve Metals. This has the general equation: Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide

Examples

Fuel + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water

Methane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Ethane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Propane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water

Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide

Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium Oxide
Aluminium + Oxygen → Aluminium Oxide
Iron + Oxygen → Iron Oxide
BunsenBurner.png
MagnesiumRibbon.png
Methane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium Oxide