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Last exams 2024

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Alcohols - Combustion (DP IB Chemistry: SL)

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Combustion of Alcohols

  • Alcohols react with oxygen in the air when ignited and undergo complete combustion to form carbon dioxide and water

Alcohol + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

 Hydroxy Compounds Combustion of Alcohols, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Complete combustion of alcohols to produce carbon dioxide and water

  • Lower alcohols burn with an almost invisible flame and make good fuels
  • Ethanol can be produced sustainably as a fuel by the fermentation of sugars
  • However, the energy density (the amount of energy in kJ per kg of fuel) is lower than gasoline so cars that run on ethanol must either have a larger fuel tank or fill up more often
  • Blending ethanol with gasoline or diesel increases the energy density and makes it safer in case of fires as it is easier to see the flames compared to pure ethanol burning
  • However, the are socio-economic concerns about using large quantities of farm land to produce crops for fermentation, which could be better used for food production

Examiner Tip

Be careful when balancing equations for the combustion of alcohols as students often forget to count the oxygen in the alcohol

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.