Combustion: The chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to produce heat is called combustion. The substance which undergoes combustion is called a combustible substance. It is also called a fuel. Sometimes light is also produced during combustion either as a flame or as a glow. Ignition temperature:- The minimum temperature at which a substance catches fire and burns is called its ignition temperature. A substance will not catch fire and burn if its temperature is lower than its ignition temperature. Different substances have different ignition temperatures. Eg:-The ignition temperature of kerosene is less than the ignition temperature of wood. Substances which have very low ignition temperature and can easily catch fire with a flame are called inflammable substances. Eg:-petrol, alcohol, LPG, CNG etc. Conditions necessary for combustion The conditions necessary for combustion are:- i)Fuel. ii)Air (to supply oxygen). iii)Heat (to raise the temperature beyond the ignition temperature.
A substance will not burn if any of these conditions is not there.
Methods of controlling fire:-
i)By using water:-
Water is the most common fire extinguisher. It can be used only when materials like wood , paper etc. are on fire. Water cannot be used if electrical equipments are on fire because water conducts electricity and can harm those trying to put out the fire. Water cannot be used to put out oil and petrol fires because they float on water and continue to burn. ii)By using carbondioxide:-
Carbon dioxide is the best fire extinguisher to put out fire caused by inflammable materials like oil and petrol and electrical equipments. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and it covers the fire and cuts off the supply of oxygen and puts out the fire. Carbon dioxide is stored at high pressure as liquid in cylinders. Chemicals like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), potassium bicarbonate produce carbon dioxide near the fire. Sodium bicarbonate+ Sulphuric acid = Sodium sulphate + water+ carbondioxide
iii) Blanket is wrapped around a person whose clothes catch fire. This way we can cut off the oxygen supply and put off the fire.
Types of combustion:- There are three main types of combustion. They are:- i)Rapid combustion ii)Spontaneous combustion iii)Explosion
Rapid combustion:-is combustion in which a substance burns rapidly and produces heat and light with the help of external heat. Eg:-burning of LPG Spontaneous combustion:-is combustion in which a substance burns spontaneously and produces heat and light without the help of external heat. Eg:-white phosphorus burns spontaneously at room temperature Explosion:-is a combustion in which a substance burns suddenly and produces heat, light and sound with the help of heat or pressure. Eg:-explosion of crackers on applying heat or pressure. Flame:- It is the zone of combustion of a combustible substance. Substances which vapourise during burning produce flames. Eg:-kerosene, wax etc. Substances which do not vapourise during burning do not produce flames. Eg:-coal, charcoal etc.
Structure of a candle flame:
Outermost Middle zone Innermost zone zone Colour Blue Yellow Black Temperature Hottest Moderate Coldest/Least hot Type of Complete Partial No combustion
Structure of a candle flame
A candle flame has three main zones. They are:- i)Outer zone ii)Middle zone iii)Inner zone
In the outerzone complete combustion of the fuel takes place and the colour of the flame is blue and is the hottest part of the flame.It is the non-luminous part of the flame. In the middle zone partial combustion of the fuel takes place and the colour of the flame is yellow and is moderately hot part of the flame. It is the luminous part of the flame. In the inner zone there are unburnt vapours of the fuel and the colour is black and is least hot part. Characteristics of good fuel / ideal fuel 1. Easily available 2. Easy to store and transport 3. Should release sufficient amount of energy on burning i.e it should have high calorific value. 4. Appropriate ignition temperature (not very low,nor very very high) 5. Should not release smoke and harmful gases on burning 6. should not leave residue on burning 7. Should be economical/not very expensive. Calorific value The amount of heat energy produced on complete combustion of 1 kg of a fuel . The calorific value of a fuel is expressed in a unit called kilojoule per kg (kJ/kg). Calorific value = heat produced Mass of fuel burnt
Q 11 (NCERT) In an experiment 4.5 kg of a fuel was completely burnt. The heat produced was measured to be 180,000 kJ. Calculate the calorific value of the fuel. Ans ) Calorific value = heat produced = 180000KJ = 40000KJ/kg Mass of fuel burnt 4.5kg
Harmful effects of burning fuels/(fossil fuels)
1) They release harmful/toxic gases(CO2,CO,SO2,NO2 ) on burning that can cause lung cancer and other respiratory disorders. 2) Incomplete combustion of these fuels gives carbon monoxide gas. It is a very poisonous gas. It is dangerous to burn coal in a closed room. The carbon monoxide gas produced can kill persons sleeping in that room. 3) Combustion of most fuels releases carbon dioxide in the environment. Increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is believed to cause global warming (rise in temperature of earths atmosphere due to trapping of heat of sun’s radiation by green house gases like methane and CO2. 4) Burning of coal and petroleum release oxides of sulphur and nitrogen which dissolve in rain water and forms acid rain. It is harmful for crops, soil and damages buildings.
Types of fuels:- Fuels are of three main types. They are:- i)Solid fuels:-Eg:-wood, coal, charcoal etc. ii)Liquid fuels:-Eg:-kerosene, petrol, diesel etc. iii)Gaseous fuels:-Eg:-CNG, LPG, biogas, hydrogen etc.
Q Why does a heap of dry leaves catch fire easily whereas its difficult to burn a heap of green leaves? Ans As green leaves have moisture/water content , they don’t reach their ignition temperature easily whereas dry leaves attain their ignition temperature easily. Q Which flame zone does a goldsmith use to melt gold and silver, and why? Ans The goldsmith uses the outermost flame zone for melting gold and silver because it is the hottest portion of the flame as undergoes complete combustion. Q Give Reason: Paper by itself catches fire easily, whereas a piece of paper wrapped around an aluminium pipe and heated does not catch fire . Ans Aluminium is a metal and very good conductor of heat so it absorbs all the heat energy. And doesn’t allow paper to reach its ignition temperature and paper does not catch fire. Q Explain why a paper cup easily catches fire but a paper cup filled with water does not catch fire.
Ans Water doesn’t allow paper to reach its ignition temperature and paper does not catch Q List some Examples of slow combustion • Rusting: Iron reacts with oxygen and moisture over time to form rust (Fe2O3·2H2O), releasing very little heat. • Digestion of food: A slow combustion process. • Cellular respiration: Glucose is oxidized, releasing carbon dioxide and energy.
