Chemical reactions: combustion | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Combustion requires fuel, ______, and an initial source of energy, usually heat, to start the reaction.
- 'oxygen' ✓
Match the states of matter with their characteristics:
- Solid
  
  ⇔
  
  Particles are closely packed and have the least energy. ✓
- Liquid
  
  ⇔
  
  Particles are loosely packed and can flow but remain close. ✓
- Gas
  
  ⇔
  
  Particles move rapidly and are widely spaced. ✓
During a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants ______ the total mass of the products.
- 'equals' ✓
When atoms of different elements bond together, they form a ______.
- 'compound' ✓
CO₂ contains carbon and oxygen atoms. Which of the following chemicals also contain both carbon and oxygen atoms?
- CH₄
- CO ✓
- O₂
- C₆H₁₂O₆ ✓
- NaCl
Match up the word equations for the oxidation reactions:
- Iron + oxygen →
  
  ⇔
  
  iron oxide ✓
- Magnesium + oxygen →
  
  ⇔
  
  magnesium oxide ✓
- Copper + oxygen →
  
  ⇔
  
  copper oxide ✓
- Phosphorous + oxygen →
  
  ⇔
  
  phosphorous pentoxide ✓
- Carbon + oxygen →
  
  ⇔
  
  carbon dioxide ✓
- Sulfur + oxygen →
  
  ⇔
  
  sulfur dioxide ✓

Exit quiz

What is combustion?
- A process where substances melt.
- A reaction where substances react with oxygen to release energy. ✓
- A process where substances dissolve in water.
- A reaction that only produces water.
Burning is a type of combustion where substances react with oxygen and produce visible ______.
- 'flames' ✓
Which of the following is often formed in chemical reactions if oxygen and carbon atoms are present?
- Carbon dioxide ✓
- Water
- Glucose
- Carbon
______ is often formed in chemical reactions if oxygen and hydrogen atoms are present.
- 'water' ✓
A ______ is a substance that releases stored energy during combustion.
- 'fuel' ✓
When there is limited oxygen present during a combustion reaction, carbon monoxide will be produced (not carbon dioxide). What is the formula for carbon monoxide?
- CO ✓
- C + O
- CO₂
- C₂O

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Combustion requires fuel, oxygen, and an initial source of energy, usually heat, to start the reaction.
The term 'burning' describes the reaction of substances with oxygen and is commonly used to refer to visible flames.
Water is often formed in chemical reactions if oxygen and hydrogen atoms are present.
Carbon dioxide is often formed in chemical reactions if oxygen and carbon atoms are present.
Carbon dioxide and water both consist of small molecules that form easily with strong bonds.

Common misconception

Pupils struggle to understand that products of water and carbon dioxide are made when combustion takes place as they cannot see them.

Remind pupils about the rule of rearranging atoms from reactants to form products. Use a molecular modelling kit to show the combustion of methane. Remember to balance the reaction so that conservation of mass occurs.

Keywords

Combustion - Fuel reacts with oxygen to release energy and requires fuel, oxygen and heat to start the reaction.
Burning - Is a type of combustion where substances react with oxygen and produce visible flames.
Molecule - Made up of two or more atoms chemically bonded together. These are usually non-metal atoms.
Fuel - A substance that releases its stored energy when it undergoes combustion.
Oxidation - A type of reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants.