Combustion of Fuels and

Calculations
Units of Energy
Energy is measured in joules (J)
Joules a very small (it takes 1 Joule to lift 100
grams in 1 second)
1 kilojoule (kJ) = 1000 J
1 Megajoule (MJ) = 1 000 000 J
Combustion Reactions
The release of energy when a fuel is burnt in the
presence of oxygen is known as combustion
Combustion reactions are exothermic processes
where carbon dioxide and water are produced as
well as lots of energy
Fuel Calculations
Calculating Carbon Content in Pure Compounds
Energy per gram
Energy per gram
Stoichiometry
The combustion of a sample of butane, C4H10 (lighter fluid), produced 2.46 grams
of water.
2C4H10(g) + 13O2(g)  8CO2(g) + 10H2O(l)

How many grams of butane burned? How much oxygen was used up in
grams?

Convert known mass to moles:

n (H2O) = m/M

= 2.46/(2x1.008+16.00)
= 0.13655 moles
The combustion of a sample of butane, C4H10 (lighter fluid), produced 2.46 grams
of water.
2 C4H10(g) + 13O2(g)  8CO2(g) + 10H2O(l)

How many grams of butane burned? How much oxygen was used up in
grams?

Convert known mass to moles:

n (H2O) = m/M

= 2.46/(2x1.008+16.00)
= 0.13655 moles
Pearson Chemistry

11.2 Qu 1 – 6
11.3 Qu 1 - 8

STAWA Set 38 Energy Changes