Fuels burn when they react with oxygen in the air. The hydrogen in hydrocarbons is oxidised to water (remember that water, H[SUB]2[/SUB]O, is an
oxide of hydrogen). If there is plenty of air, we get complete combustion and the carbon in hydrocarbons is oxidised to carbon dioxide:
hydrocarbon + oxygen → water + carbon dioxide
Ethanol is CH[SUB]3[/SUB]CH[SUB]2[/SUB]OH, often abbreviated as C[SUB]2[/SUB]H[SUB]6[/SUB]O
Source for the above: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/crudeoil/hydrocarbonsrev1.shtml (always best to link source material)
Blimey, its like being back in the 70's on an Open University course.
Last edited: