Why do fatty acids burn in the presence of carbon?

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SUMMARY

Fatty acids combust in the presence of carbon due to their chemical structure, which inherently contains carbon atoms. The combustion process requires oxygen, and when fatty acids are exposed to it, they undergo a reaction that releases energy. This reaction is facilitated by the carbon already present in the fatty acids, making them efficient fuel sources. Understanding this process is crucial for fields such as biochemistry and energy production.

PREREQUISITES
  • Chemical structure of fatty acids
  • Basic principles of combustion
  • Role of oxygen in oxidation reactions
  • Understanding of energy release in chemical reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the chemical structure of fatty acids and their functional groups
  • Research the principles of combustion and oxidation reactions
  • Explore the role of oxygen in energy production from organic compounds
  • Investigate applications of fatty acid combustion in biofuels
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Students in chemistry, biochemistry researchers, energy production professionals, and anyone interested in the combustion of organic compounds.

physicisttobe
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fatty acids and carbon
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Hi everyone!

Do you know why fatty acids burn in the presence of carbon? I found some explanations on the internet but they didn't help me. Can you explain me (in simple terms) why fatty acids burn in the presence of carbon ?
 
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No idea what you mean. Not only they contain carbon by themselves, all they need to burn is oxygen.
 
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