Reactivity 1.3 Energy from Fuels

The enthalpy evolved when one mole of the substance in its standard state combusts completely in oxygen under standard.

enthalpy of combustion/molar mass

Buried organisms that have undergone reduction under pressure

Coal, crude oil, natural gas

The anaerobic decomposition of marine organisms

Terrestrial vegetation

A complex mix of straight chain, branched, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, although it mainly consists of alkanes.

Clean, easily transported, higher specific energy than coal or oil

Easily transported by pipelines/tankers, feedstock for organic chemicals, convenient fuel for vehicles

Present in large quantities, widely distributed, can be converted into synthetic liquids and gases, feedstock for organic chemicals, releases more energy than renewable sources, safer than nuclear energy, longer lifespan than natural gas or oil

Contributes to global warming, limited lifespan, uneven distribution

Contributes to global warming/acidic rain, limited lifespan, risk of marine pollution due to oil spills

Contributes to global warming/acidic rain, not as easily transported, dangerous to mine, cause pollution, dirty

The process where certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat and warm the planet. These gases absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, preventing it from escaping into space, and re-radiate some of it back to the surface, thus warming the planet.

Shortwave radiation from the sun is able to be passed through. Absorb the longer wavelength IR radiation re-radiated from the earths surface.

If it results in a change of dipole

Asymmetric stretch, Two symmetric bends

Symmetric stretch

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced during human activities.