Question

What will happen if there is an insufficient supply of oxygen during the combustion of a hydrocarbon?

thinking A or C

A. The combustion reaction proceeds in the reverse direction.

B. Water will not be one of the products.

C. Elemental carbon and carbon monoxide may be formed along with carbon dioxide and water.

D. There will be no effect on the combustion reaction.

Answer 1

The answer is C. If there is not enough oxygen present when a hydrocarbon is combusted, then then the products will be oxygen, water and carbon and carbon monoxide in the place of carbon dioxide. This is called incomplete combustion. We can physically see this reaction as the flame will be yellow, and the carbon is released as soot.