answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

large or long chain alkanes will burn with a sooty flame with more soot being produced the longer the chain. they also burn with a darker flame that is more orange than bright yellow (pentane) or blue (methane)

this is because with a long chain alkane (large alkane) their is more carbon and hydrogen present per molecule and so more oxygen is needed.

for example in complete combustion of methane compared with nonane, nonane requires 7 times more oxygen.

CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O C9H20 + 14O2 -> 9CO2 + 10H2O

in reality nonane burns incompletely (unless an oxidiser is used which will provide more oxygen eg. KNO3 or NaClO3) and the oxygen required is not their so carbon and carbon monoxide is produced.

C9H20 + 14O2 -> H2O + CO2 + CO + C

it is impossible to tell how many mols of each product is created.

as less of the molecule has been burned less energy is released so more carbon is being produced and so is also a colder flame.

As it is colder their is less heat to excite the electrons in the carbon molecules so they in turn release less light energy resulting in the darkening of the flame and reddening of the colour.

this is also why gas burners must have adequate ventilation other wise their is not enough oxygen (as it has been burned) and so CO is produced which is poisonous.

take for example a candle and a lighter the lighter employs methane/propane and the candle uses a much longer chain hydrocarbon.

the candle burns with a yellow to orange flame.

the lighter burns with a blue flame at the bottom and a yellow flame at the top, the yellow flame is due to the oxygen running out at that point and so carbon is produced. (unless it is a turbo-lighter which sucks up extra air via a carburetter to create a perfect fuel and oxygen mix).

I do hope this has helped and not just confused you

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

6mo ago

A large alkane would burn less readily than a small alkane due to its higher molecular weight and increased number of carbon-carbon bonds, which would require more energy to break. This means that larger alkanes would have higher boiling points and would combust with more difficulty than smaller alkanes, which burn more easily.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How would a large alkane burn compared to a small alkane?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Chemistry

What is the chemical formula for an alkane with 10 carbon atoms?

For a straight-chain alkane, this would be C10H22 - decane. However, if this is a cyclic alkane, you would have C10H20 (cyclodecane). There are also numerous options for a branching alkane with various names and carbon to hydrogen ratios.


How many hydrogens are present on an alkane with 20 carbons?

An alkane with 20 carbons will have 42 hydrogens. This can be calculated using the formula 2n+2, where n is the number of carbons (C) in the alkane. So for an alkane with 20 carbons, the number of hydrogens would be 2(20) + 2 = 42.


How many carbons atoms would be present in an alkane that contains 32 hydrogen atoms?

In an alkane the number of hydrogen atoms is two greater than twice the number of carbon atoms. If we reverse this rule, we find that the number of carbon atoms is one less than half the number of hydrogen atoms. 32/2=16 16-1=15 So our alkane would have 15 carbon atoms. This alkane would be pentadecane or one of its isomers.


What is the formula for the alkane containing 100 hydrogens?

The general formula for an alkane is CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. To calculate the number of carbon atoms for an alkane containing 100 hydrogens, you can use the formula 100 = 2n + 2. By solving for n, you will find that the alkane would have 49 carbon atoms. So the alkane with 100 hydrogens would be C49H100.


An alkane with 3 carbon atoms would have how many hydrogen atoms in the molecule?

An alkane with 3 carbon atoms would have 8 hydrogen atoms in the molecule. Alkanes follow the formula CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Related questions

Why did the small states object the delegates being assigned according to population?

Small states didn't have the population numbers compared to the large so in any vote or situation they would always be out numbered by the large states.


What is the analogy of planet is to solar system as tree is to...?

Planet to Solar system is a small body compared to a large body, While the tree is small, while a grove or a forest would be the large.


What is the chemical formula for an alkane with 10 carbon atoms?

For a straight-chain alkane, this would be C10H22 - decane. However, if this is a cyclic alkane, you would have C10H20 (cyclodecane). There are also numerous options for a branching alkane with various names and carbon to hydrogen ratios.


How many hydrogens are present on an alkane with 20 carbons?

An alkane with 20 carbons will have 42 hydrogens. This can be calculated using the formula 2n+2, where n is the number of carbons (C) in the alkane. So for an alkane with 20 carbons, the number of hydrogens would be 2(20) + 2 = 42.


How many carbons atoms would be present in an alkane that contains 32 hydrogen atoms?

In an alkane the number of hydrogen atoms is two greater than twice the number of carbon atoms. If we reverse this rule, we find that the number of carbon atoms is one less than half the number of hydrogen atoms. 32/2=16 16-1=15 So our alkane would have 15 carbon atoms. This alkane would be pentadecane or one of its isomers.


How would Al-Qaeda attack a small community?

Londons a small community compared to the Sahara


Is a 175000 scale map a large map?

The terms "small scale" and "large scale" are relative terms. Compared to a street map (typically 1:30000 or less) it is a large scale. Compared to a world map (1:10,000,000 or higher), it would be smaller. But because a 1:175000 does not show much detail (1 cm = 1.75 km), it would usually be considered a large scale map. It could be used for a metropolitan area highway map.


In Brazil would people have small or large families?

they have large families


Would an impermeable material have small or large pores?

Small pores


What is the formula for the alkane containing 100 hydrogens?

The general formula for an alkane is CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. To calculate the number of carbon atoms for an alkane containing 100 hydrogens, you can use the formula 100 = 2n + 2. By solving for n, you will find that the alkane would have 49 carbon atoms. So the alkane with 100 hydrogens would be C49H100.


Is a 175000 scale map a large scaled map?

The terms "small scale" and "large scale" are relative terms. Compared to a street map (typically 1:30000 or less) it is a large scale. Compared to a world map (1:10,000,000 or higher), it would be smaller. But because a 1:175000 does not show much detail (1 cm = 1.75 km), it would usually be considered a large scale map. It could be used for a metropolitan area highway map.


How many strwaberries in 1 quart?

The number of strawberries in a quart would depend on the size of the strawberries. Small strawberries will have greater number compared to the large one since they have lighter weight individually.