Reactivity 1.3 Energy from fuels
Reactivity 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
Understandings:
  • Reactive metals, non-metals and organic compounds undergo combustion reactions when heated in oxygen (1.3.1).
  • ​Incomplete combustion of organic compounds, especially hydrocarbons, leads to the production of carbon monoxide and carbon (1.3.2).
Learning outcomes:
  • Deduce equations for reactions of combustion, including hydrocarbons and alcohols (1.3.1).
  • Deduce equations for the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons and alcohols (1.3.2).
Linking questions:
  • Reactivity 2.2 Why is high activation energy often considered to be a useful property of a fuel?
  • Reactivity 3.2 Which species are the oxidizing and reducing agents in a combustion reaction?
  • ​Reactivity 2.1 How does limiting the supply of oxygen in combustion affect the products and increase health risks?
This video covers the combustion reactions of hydrocarbons (alkanes). 
This video covers the combustion reactions of alcohols. 
Reactivity 1.3.3
Understandings:
  • Fossil fuels include coal, crude oil and natural gas, which have different advantages and disadvantages.
Learning outcomes:
  • Evaluate the amount of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere when different fuels burn.
  • Understand the link between carbon dioxide levels and the greenhouse effect.
Additional notes:
  • The tendency for incomplete combustion and energy released per unit mass should be covered.​
Linking questions:
  • Structure 3.2 Why do larger hydrocarbons have a greater tendency to undergo incomplete combustion?
  • Structure 3.2 (HL) Why is carbon dioxide described as a greenhouse gas?
This video covers the formation of fossil fuels. 
This video covers the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels. 
Reactivity 1.3.4
Understandings:
  • Biofuels are produced from the biological fixation of carbon over a short period of time through photosynthesis.
Learning outcomes:
  • Understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
    Consider the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels.
Additional notes:
  • The reactants and products of photosynthesis should be known.​​
This video covers biofuels.
This video covers photosynthesis. 
Reactivity 1.3.5
Understandings:
  • A fuel cell can be used to convert chemical energy from a fuel directly to electrical energy.
Learning outcomes:
  • Deduce half-equations for the electrode reactions in a fuel cell.
Additional notes:
  • Hydrogen and methanol should be covered as fuels for fuel cells.
  • The use of proton exchange membranes will not be assessed.​
Linking questions:
  • Reactivity 3.2 What are the main differences between a fuel cell and a primary (voltaic) cell?
This video covers fuel cells.