Products of combustion

[The_goosse]

Please refer to the attached file.

 

Can any one please explain to me where the (x-0.01) for O₂ comes from? I have been stuck here for a long time.

 

Thanks.

 

[pavelcherepan]

Can you see that first term on the left is CO and on the right - CO2? And all other reagents are the same.

[The_goosse]

yes.

[pavelcherepan]

Now try and count oxygens on both sides of the equation. Are they the same?

 

Another question - how do you reckon CO became CO2?

Edited April 6, 2015 by pavelcherepan

[The_goosse]

On the left O₂ it is;

 

2(x) + 0.02

 

and on the right O₂ is;

 

0.04 + 2(x-0.01) which is 2(x) + 0.04 - 0.02 so the answer is yes.

 

Not sure about the other question? Because of the combustion process?

[pavelcherepan]

Well done. So CO here is not very stable in normal conditions so as soon as there was a chance it grabbed an oxygen atom from the air and got reduced to stable CO2.

[studiot]

+1 each for good communications.

 

I strongly suggest you don't use fractions or decimals in chemical equations (for balancing).

 

Multiply through by 100 first.

 

Each coefficient ie supposed to stand for one molecule (or 1 gram mole or 1 kgmole).

 

As to pavel's second helpful question.

 

You have (correctly) called this a combustion process.

 

Combustion is combining with oxygen (oxidation).

 

So what burns?

[The_goosse]

I'm struggling with understanding how to get (x-0.01) for the products of oxygen.

 

If I were given;

 

0.02 CO + (x) o₂ + 3.76 (x) N₂ > 0.02 CO₂ + (??) O₂ + (??) N₂

 

_{I have no issue balancing the carbon I just struggle with the oxygen I have complete brain freeze!! Apologies if I have already answered this I just don't see it.}

 

_{Thanks again.}

[pavelcherepan]

On the left O₂ it is;

 

2(x) + 0.02

 

and on the right O₂ is;

 

0.04 + 2(x-0.01) which is 2(x) + 0.04 - 0.02 so the answer is yes.

 

Not sure about the other question? Because of the combustion process?

Look at this. You've already solved everything. The last step left is to put = sign between left and right sides and find x. To make it easier use studiot's advice and multiply both sides by a 100.

 

Nitrogen doesn't participate in the reaction so you can forget about it for now.

Edited April 6, 2015 by pavelcherepan

[The_goosse]

... thanks guys.

 

I just can't see where the (x-0.01) comes from, for the example I have shown the (x-0.01) is given so where did it come from? I will figure it out eventually.

 

Hi studiot, are there any occasions when it would be unacceptable to use the x100 rule to get rid of the fractions?

 

Cheers.

... when I set each side = to each other I get the following for L and R hand side (Ignoring N as stated)

 

0.02 + 2(x) = 0.04 + 2(x)

 

So where does this (x-0.01) come form?

 

should it be;

 

0.02+2(x) = 0.04, therefor x=0.01

 

I dont know why I am so stuck on such a simple example relative to the rest of the material it doesn't get any simpler than this lol.

 

I cant see the wood for looking at the trees. (as they say)

[studiot]

So what happened to my post#7?

Did I waste my time?

Edited April 6, 2015 by studiot

[The_goosse]

I don't know what burns right now studiot.

 

This question burns actually.

 

Unless you are referring to the fractions? I fully intend to use the x100 rule as soon as I have figured this one out. I will start again using the x100 rule and compare answers giving myself confidence that it works out the same either way. Not that I doubt you of course I just like to make sure I can do it another way before I change the way I already know.

PS did you see my question in post #10?

[studiot]

The answers to all your questions were in my post #7.

 

Multiplying through by 100 was just meant to make life easy for you.

 

So after a good laugh at your joke, what burns?

[The_goosse]

... the carbon? The carbon is oxidized.

[studiot]

 

Studiot

Combustion is combining with oxygen (oxidation).

 

So what burns?

 

 

Remember this is your title to the thread, not mine.

 

the_goosse

the carbon? The carbon is oxidized.

also

 

 

I don't see any carbon in this.

 

So what burns?

 

Hint I could set light to it with a match and it used to be a component of town or producer gas, before the days of natural gas.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Producer_gas

Edited April 6, 2015 by studiot

[The_goosse]

... O₂

 

_{I hope this is leading somewhere... lol}

[studiot]

 

_{I hope this is leading somewhere... lol}

 

 

Down the pub?

 

Did you look at my link first?

[The_goosse]

... yes read it now. Carbon monoxide is the fuel is this what you mean? I am confused now its been a long day. I will pick this up in the morning. I have two weeks off work to study. Looks like I am going to need it.

 

Cheers.

[studiot]

REad through your equation and ask yourself

 

What does it say in words?

 

Never mind the numbers (stochiometry) for the moment.

 

Just what is happening.

Something along the lines of

 

 

___?___combines with _____?____ in the presence of _____?_____

 

And I hope we are now agreed that combines with oxygen = burns.

Edited April 6, 2015 by studiot