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Complete Combustion

Complete combustion occurs when there is enough oxygen available for

all of the carbon atoms in the fuel to become oxidised.

The blue flame of a Bunsen burner is an example of complete

combustion of a hydrocarbon (in this case, almost pure methane),
where heat energy is given out.

What are the products of the complete combustion of a

hydrocarbon?

carbon
hydrocarbon + oxygen 
dioxide + water

•LO1) State the products of complete and incomplete combustion.

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Complete Combustion of methane

Methane is a hydrocarbon found in natural gas. Methane will combust in oxygen to produce
carbon dioxide and water…

carbon
methane + oxygen 
dioxide + water

CH4 + 2O2  CO2 + 2H2O

Propane is a hydrocarbon fuel with 3 carbon atoms.

What is the balanced symbol equation for the complete combustion of propane?

C3H8 + 5O2  3CO2 + 4H2O

•LO1) State the products of complete and incomplete combustion.

•LO3) Construct word and symbol equations for the complete combustion of simple hydrocarbons.
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Products of complete combustion demo

•LO1) State the products of complete and incomplete combustion.

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Complete vs incomplete combustion

Complete combustion means that there is enough oxygen available for all of the carbon
atoms in a hydrocarbon fuel to burn and form carbon dioxide.

If there is a shortage of oxygen when a hydrocarbon fuel is burned, incomplete

combustion takes place.

Instead of producing carbon dioxide and water, incomplete combustion can produce
carbon monoxide and water.

carbon monoxide
hydrocarbon + oxygen  + water

In both complete and incomplete combustion, the hydrogen in the hydrocarbon is

oxidised and forms water.

•LO1) State the products of complete and incomplete combustion.

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Incomplete combustion: carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and very

toxic gas that readily binds to haemoglobin, and reduces the
ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
Carbon monoxide poisoning kills around 50 people a year
within the UK.

•LO2) Describe the problems associated with the products of incomplete combustion.
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Incomplete combustion: carbon monoxide poisoning

CO can be released by gas appliances in the home (e.g. heaters and

boilers) that have not been properly installed or are poorly
maintained.

CO is also produced during the combustion of petrol or diesel inside

internal combustion engines.
Catalytic converters are now fitted to vehicles to convert the CO into
CO2.

•LO2) Describe the problems associated with the products of incomplete combustion.
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Incomplete combustion: soot

When the amount of oxygen available is very limited, incomplete combustion can also
produce carbon particulates, often referred to as soot.

carbon
hydrocarbon + oxygen 
monoxide + carbon + water

Carbon particles are produced in the

combustion of long chain hydrocarbons,
such as in the wax in candles. The carbon
particles glow in the heat of the flame and
give it a yellow colour.

Carbon particles in the air can cause

respiratory problems for some people, e.g.
asthmatics.
•LO2) Describe the problems associated with the products of incomplete combustion.