Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
Burning is a chemical reaction that happens when something catches fire.
About Burning
- Materials can only burn if there is enough air.
- Substances cannot burn underwater or in empty space.
- Anything that burns is called a fuel.
Examples
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| A solid fuel burning. | A liquid fuel burning. | A gas fuel burning. |
Note to Teachers
Students often don't recognise the difference between heating and burning. When asked what happens to a substance when it is heated they will say 'burn' when melting would be a more appropriate response. Students also do not always recognise the necessity of oxygen (or at least air) when things burn.
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Combustion is an exothermic reaction that happens when a fuel burns in the presence of oxygen releasing thermal energy and light.
About Combustion
- Combustion always happens at high temperatures and gives off light.
- Combustion may involve Hydrocarbons. This has the general equation: Fuel + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
- Combustion may involve Metals. This has the general equation: Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
Examples
Fuel + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
- Methane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
- Ethane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
- Propane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium Oxide Aluminium + Oxygen → Aluminium Oxide Iron + Oxygen → Iron Oxide