Explain how carbon monoxide is produced when petrol is burned in car engines. (2 marks)
Car petrol is usually some form of alkane, which has the general formula CnH2n+2. Let us assume we are using Butane (C4H10). The desired chemical reaction for the complete combustion of butane is 2C4H10 + 13O2 --> 8CO2 + 10H2O.However, if there is an insufficient supply of oxygen, then there is incomplete combustion, 2C4H10 + 9O2 --> 8CO + 10H2O.As you can see, instead of carbon dioxide given off, the products are water and carbon monoxide, which therefore, results from incomplete combustion.
LB
Related Chemistry GCSE answers
All answers ▸The rate of the reaction between magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric acid can be increased by increasing the concentration of the acid. State two other ways of increasing the rate of this reaction
A student carries out an experiment to determine the melting point of a waxy solid. She heats a sample until it melts, then measures and records its temperature as it cools down. Explain how the student could use her results to decide whether the waxy
Why do group 1 metals become more reactive as you descend the group?
What is an isotope?