Complete and incomplete combustion
What Complete and incomplete combustion means in Chemistry GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Complete and incomplete combustion
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Reference: AQA
Complete combustion of a hydrocarbon gives carbon dioxide and water vapour, while a limited supply of oxygen causes incomplete combustion, which also produces carbon monoxide and solid carbon particles.
Complete combustion needs sufficient oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water, while incomplete combustion, caused by limited oxygen, releases less energy and can produce carbon monoxide and soot.
Topics that use Complete and incomplete combustion
- Atmospheric pollutants from fuels (AQA GCSE)
- Properties of hydrocarbons (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Atmospheric pollution
- Choosing fuels for particular uses
- Combustion products
- Combustion reactions
- Conservation of matter
- Energy transfer
- Exothermic reactions
- Hydrocarbons
Using Complete and incomplete combustion in the exam
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