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Topic 6B Alkanes, taught by a specialist chemistry teacher.

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Lesson 2 of 4

Alkanes as Fuels

This virtual lesson explores the role of alkanes as fuels, focusing on their combustion and the environmental impact of their use.

The lesson opens by examining complete combustion, where alkanes react with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy efficiently. This is contrasted with incomplete combustion, which occurs when oxygen is limited, leading to the formation of carbon monoxide and carbon (soot), both of which carry significant health and environmental consequences.

The lesson then covers harmful by-products formed during fuel use, including oxides of sulfur and oxides of nitrogen, and how these gases contribute to acid rain and air pollution.

The lesson concludes with catalytic converters and their role in vehicle exhaust systems, explaining how catalysts convert toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances.

This lesson links the chemistry of alkanes to real-world applications, highlighting both their importance as energy sources and the need to manage their environmental impact.

Next: Alternative Fuels

Specification points for Topic 6B

6.10understand that alkane fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reforming of crude oil
6.11know that pollutants, including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon particulates and unburned hydrocarbons, are formed during the combustion of alkane fuels
6.12understand the problems arising from pollutants from the combustion of fuels, limited to the toxicity of carbon monoxide and the acidity of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur
6.13understand how the use of a catalytic converter solves some problems caused by pollutants
6.14understand the use of alternative fuels, including biodiesel and alcohols derived from renewable sources such as plants, in terms of a comparison with non-renewable fossil fuels
6.15know that a radical:i
6.16understand the reactions of alkanes with:i
6.17understand the limitations of the use of radical substitution reactions in the synthesis of organic molecules, in terms of further substitution reactions and the formation of a mixture of products
6.23understand that heterolytic bond fission of a covalent bond results in the formation of ions

Alkanes as Fuels

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