Fuel Combustion - SS3 Physics Lesson Note

Fuel combustion is the process by which fuels are burned in the presence of oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light. This process is a common way of producing energy and is used to power everything from cars and airplanes to power plants and industrial machinery.

When a fuel is burned, it reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), as well as other gases and particles depending on the specific fuel and conditions of the combustion. The heat released by the combustion process can be harnessed to produce steam, which can then drive turbines to generate electricity or power mechanical devices.

However, fuel combustion also produces emissions that can have negative environmental and health impacts. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) can contribute to air pollution and respiratory problems.

As a result, there is growing interest in developing cleaner and more efficient combustion technologies, such as those that use alternative fuels, reduce emissions, or capture and store carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere.