Final answer:
The chemical equation for the combustion of a general fossil fuel (a hydrocarbon) results in carbon dioxide and water. These are usually the missing components in chemical equations concerning the burning of fossil fuels. The release of carbon dioxide is a major contributor to global climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical equation for the combustion or burning of a general fossil fuel, which is mostly a hydrocarbon (compounds containing hydrogen and carbon), is:
CnHm + (n + m/4)O2 -> nCO2 + m/2H2O
Here, CnHm represents a simple hydrocarbon where n and m are its carbon and hydrogen quantities, respectively. For example, burning methane (CH4, which is a primary component of natural gas) in the presence of oxygen (O2) yields carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This reaction is described by:
CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O.
The carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are often the missing components in the chemical equations for burning fossil fuels. The release of carbon dioxide, in particular, is a significant factor in the elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 linked to global climate change.
Learn more about Combustion of Fossil Fuels