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V5.4 INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION (1)
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For the combustion of methane, propanone, oleic acid and wax we have said that the new substances are water and carbon dioxide. This is true, but only if there is enough oxygen to provide all the necessary oxygen atoms.

Usually, oxygen cannot get to the reaction site quickly enough. In this case, some of the carbon atoms just bond
together to give small lumps of ‘soot’.



The very hot lumps of soot glow, giving off a
yellow light: this is why the flames are yellow.
This is also why the flame of a Bunsen burner is
yellow when the air hole is closed.

Notes: see Teachers’ Guide
 
teachers’ guide v8


more info
v1: flames:hydrogen
v2: flames:methane
v3: more flames
v4: candle wax
v5: combustion
v6: decomposition

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