Combustion Reactions and How They Power Our Vehicles
Combustion reactions play a key role in how our cars and trucks work. Most vehicles use something called internal combustion engines (ICE). These engines take the chemical energy in fuels like gasoline and diesel and turn it into the energy that moves the vehicles.
Fuel and Oxygen Reaction: Combustion happens when a fuel, usually a type of hydrocarbon, reacts with oxygen from the air.
For example, when octane, which is found in gasoline, burns, it reacts with oxygen. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
This means that when two parts of octane meet 25 parts of oxygen, they create 16 parts of carbon dioxide and 18 parts of water.
Energy Release: During this reaction, energy is released as new bonds form between atoms. When this happens inside an engine, it can get super hot—up to about 2,500 °C (or 4,532 °F). This heat helps the gases expand and push the engine's pistons, making the vehicle move.
Internal combustion engines turn about 20% to 30% of the fuel’s energy into actual movement. The rest of the energy usually turns into heat and gets wasted.
Fuel Use in 2020: In the United States, people used around 135 billion gallons of gasoline in 2020, showing how much we depend on combustion for getting around.
Even though combustion engines work well, they create harmful emissions like:
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): This gas is a major contributor to climate change. Vehicles were responsible for about 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. back in 2019.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and small particles can lead to dirty air and can cause health problems.
In short, combustion reactions are vital for running most vehicles we use today. They keep our transportation systems going, but they also raise important questions about how efficient they are and their impact on the environment.
Combustion Reactions and How They Power Our Vehicles
Combustion reactions play a key role in how our cars and trucks work. Most vehicles use something called internal combustion engines (ICE). These engines take the chemical energy in fuels like gasoline and diesel and turn it into the energy that moves the vehicles.
Fuel and Oxygen Reaction: Combustion happens when a fuel, usually a type of hydrocarbon, reacts with oxygen from the air.
For example, when octane, which is found in gasoline, burns, it reacts with oxygen. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
This means that when two parts of octane meet 25 parts of oxygen, they create 16 parts of carbon dioxide and 18 parts of water.
Energy Release: During this reaction, energy is released as new bonds form between atoms. When this happens inside an engine, it can get super hot—up to about 2,500 °C (or 4,532 °F). This heat helps the gases expand and push the engine's pistons, making the vehicle move.
Internal combustion engines turn about 20% to 30% of the fuel’s energy into actual movement. The rest of the energy usually turns into heat and gets wasted.
Fuel Use in 2020: In the United States, people used around 135 billion gallons of gasoline in 2020, showing how much we depend on combustion for getting around.
Even though combustion engines work well, they create harmful emissions like:
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): This gas is a major contributor to climate change. Vehicles were responsible for about 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. back in 2019.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and small particles can lead to dirty air and can cause health problems.
In short, combustion reactions are vital for running most vehicles we use today. They keep our transportation systems going, but they also raise important questions about how efficient they are and their impact on the environment.