Does the Carbon in a hydrocarbon do anything?

[Jbcourt]

Does the Carbon in a hydrocarbon do anything for combustion?

 

[Borek]

Please elaborate, question as posted doesn't make much sense.

 

[Jbcourt]

Okay, when burning hydrocarbon during combustion the power comes from the creation of a water molecule and the carbon just oxyidizes to either CO or CO2. Is there any energy gain from the greation of the oxidized carbon?
If not then what the point of using hydrocarbon for combustion? Why not just pure Hydrogen?

 

[alxm]

Is there any energy gain from the greation of the oxidized carbon?

So, you're basically asking if burning coal releases energy?

 

[Jbcourt]

Carbon when combined with oxygen make energy? Or when hydrogen when combined with Oxygen make energy? Is the hydrocarbon a great way to get hydrogen and that's why we (humans) use it for energy production?

 

[Hologram0110]

The energy when burning hydro-carbons comes from BOTH the oxidization of carbon and the hydrogen. In fact, burning pure carbon (coal) still produces a lot of energy.

Hydrogen rich hydro-carbons are considered good fuel sources because they release more energy per CO2 produced because the energy released in the formation of water.

 

[Jbcourt]

Thank you so much Hologram!
Is more energy released from the CO2 creation or the H2O reaction?
BTW I thought coal was a hydrocarbon. Thanx for setting straight.

 

[Borek]

Carbon when combined with oxygen make energy?

Have you ever grilled a steak over charcoal? Or at least eat one grilled over charcoal?

 

[Jbcourt]

Yes, I have

 

[Borek]

And you still ask if burning carbon produces heat?

--
methods

 

[Jbcourt]

I undersand that burning carbon makes heat. So oxidizing carbon release more energy than the water making reaction.

 

[Hologram0110]

So oxidizing carbon release more energy than the water making reaction.

That isn't what he said. They both release heat. The relative amount of heat from each depends on the specific hydrocarbon. They are both important.

 

[Jbcourt]

Okay I understand now