CHEM 1A03 Lecture Notes - Methanol Economy, Thermal Energy, Hydrogen Economy

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHEM 1A03
• Professor: David Brock

Document Summary

Combustion or burning is a complex sequence or exothermic chemical reactions between a and an oxidant. Rapid combustion: accompanied by the production of hat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames. The higher the heat of combustion, the better the fuel. Respiration is an example of slow combustion. Hydrogen economy, methanol economy using hydrogen / methanol to store energy. As the forward process is endothermic, h > 0. Sunlight (energy) is used to build glucose and other simple sugars. 6co2 + 6h2o c6h2o6 + 6o2, h = +2. 8 x 10^3 (pos because energy going in ) Energy is extracted by combustion of the plant material. The reverse reaction is exothermic, h < 0. Thermal energy: kinetic energy on a microscopic scale, movement on a molecular basis / within a molecule. Heat (q): energy transferred between a system and its surroundings as a result of a temperature gradient.