Understanding Complete Combustion

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 67 views

Introduction

Coal is a fossil fuel that has been used as a primary source of energy for centuries. It is composed mainly of carbon, with small amounts of other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In this article, we will assume that coal is essentially all carbon and calculate the heat produced when a piece of coal undergoes complete combustion.

Understanding Complete Combustion

Complete combustion is a chemical reaction in which a fuel, such as coal, reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. The reaction is as follows:

C (coal) + O2 → CO2 (carbon dioxide) + heat

The heat produced in complete combustion is a result of the energy released when the chemical bonds in the fuel are broken and new bonds are formed in the products.

Calculating the Volume of Coal

To calculate the heat produced in complete combustion, we need to know the volume of the coal. The dimensions of the coal are given as 7 cm x 5 cm x 6 cm. We can calculate the volume of the coal as follows:

Volume = length x width x height = 7 cm x 5 cm x 6 cm = 210 cm^3

Converting Volume to Mass

The density of coal is given as 1.5 g/mL. We can convert the volume of the coal from cubic centimeters (cm^3) to milliliters (mL) as follows:

1 cm^3 = 1 mL

So, the volume of the coal in milliliters is also 210 mL. We can now convert the volume to mass using the density:

Mass = density x volume = 1.5 g/mL x 210 mL = 315 g

Calculating the Heat Produced

The heat produced in complete combustion is given by the equation:

Q = ΔH x mass

where Q is the heat produced, ΔH is the enthalpy of combustion, and mass is the mass of the fuel.

The enthalpy of combustion of carbon is -393.5 kJ/mol. We can calculate the number of moles of carbon in the coal as follows:

moles = mass / molar mass = 315 g / 12 g/mol = 26.25 mol

We can now calculate the heat produced as follows:

Q = ΔH x moles = -393.5 kJ/mol x 26.25 mol = -10315.625 kJ

Converting Heat to Calories

We can convert the heat produced from kilojoules (kJ) to calories (cal) as follows:

1 kJ = 239 cal

So, the heat produced in calories is:

Q = -10315.625 kJ x 239 cal/kJ = -2479111.875 cal

Conclusion

In this article, we assumed that coal is essentially all carbon and calculated the heat produced when a piece of coal undergoes complete combustion. We calculated the volume of the coal, converted it to mass using the density, and then calculated the heat produced using the enthalpy of combustion. The heat produced was found to be -2479111.875 cal.

References

[1] CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition, 2016.
[2] Wikipedia, "Coal", accessed on March 10, 2023.

Additional Information

The negative sign in the heat produced indicates that the reaction is exothermic, meaning that heat is released.
The enthalpy of combustion of carbon is a measure of the energy released when carbon is burned in oxygen.
The molar mass of carbon is 12 g/mol, which is the mass of one mole of carbon atoms.
Assuming Coal is Essentially All Carbon: Q&A =====================================================

Q: What is the significance of assuming coal is essentially all carbon?

A: Assuming coal is essentially all carbon simplifies the calculation of heat produced in complete combustion. In reality, coal is a complex mixture of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and other elements. By assuming it is all carbon, we can focus on the energy released from the combustion of carbon.

Q: What is the formula for calculating the heat produced in complete combustion?

A: The formula for calculating the heat produced in complete combustion is:

Q = ΔH x moles

where Q is the heat produced, ΔH is the enthalpy of combustion, and moles is the number of moles of carbon in the coal.

Q: What is the enthalpy of combustion of carbon?

A: The enthalpy of combustion of carbon is -393.5 kJ/mol. This value represents the energy released when one mole of carbon is burned in oxygen.

Q: How do I calculate the number of moles of carbon in the coal?

A: To calculate the number of moles of carbon in the coal, you need to know the mass of the coal and the molar mass of carbon. The molar mass of carbon is 12 g/mol. You can calculate the number of moles as follows:

moles = mass / molar mass

Q: What is the significance of the negative sign in the heat produced?

A: The negative sign in the heat produced indicates that the reaction is exothermic, meaning that heat is released. This is because the energy released from the combustion of carbon is greater than the energy required to break the chemical bonds in the coal.

Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the heat produced in incomplete combustion?

A: No, this formula is only applicable to complete combustion. Incomplete combustion occurs when not all of the fuel is burned, resulting in the production of carbon monoxide and other incomplete combustion products. The formula for calculating the heat produced in incomplete combustion is more complex and requires additional information.

Q: What are some common applications of the heat produced in complete combustion?

A: The heat produced in complete combustion has many practical applications, including:

Power generation: The heat produced in complete combustion is used to generate electricity in power plants.
Industrial processes: The heat produced in complete combustion is used to power industrial processes such as smelting and refining.
Space exploration: The heat produced in complete combustion is used to power spacecraft and launch vehicles.

Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the heat produced in combustion of other fuels?

A: No, this formula is only applicable to the combustion of carbon. The combustion of other fuels, such as hydrogen and oxygen, requires a different formula and additional information.

Q: What are some common sources of error in calculating the heat produced in complete combustion?

A: Some common sources of error in calculating the heat produced in complete combustion include:

Incorrect measurement of the mass of the fuel
Incorrect calculation of the number of moles of carbon
Incorrect value for the enthalpy of combustion
Incomplete combustion

Q: How can I improve the accuracy of my calculations?

A: To improve the accuracy of your calculations, make sure to:

Use accurate measurements of the mass of the fuel
Calculate the number of moles of carbon carefully
Use the correct value for the enthalpy of combustion
Ensure complete combustion

Conclusion

In this Q&A article, we have discussed the significance of assuming coal is essentially all carbon, the formula for calculating the heat produced in complete combustion, and some common applications of the heat produced. We have also addressed some common sources of error and provided tips for improving the accuracy of your calculations.