9 (a) An impure hydrocarbon fuel is burned in the apparatus in Figure 7 - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 9
9 (a) An impure hydrocarbon fuel is burned in the apparatus in Figure 7.
When the fuel is burned:
- the funnel becomes hot
- a colourless liquid forms in tube A
- t... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:9 (a) An impure hydrocarbon fuel is burned in the apparatus in Figure 7 - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
When the fuel is burned, the funnel becomes hot
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Answer
The funnel becomes hot because combustion is an exothermic reaction, which releases heat. As the impure hydrocarbon fuel burns, it generates heat that transfers to the funnel, causing it to increase in temperature.
Step 2
A colourless liquid forms in tube A
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Answer
The formation of a colourless liquid in tube A indicates that condensation is occurring. This liquid is likely water vapor that has condensed as a product of combustion and can also consist of unreacted hydrocarbons. The combustion of hydrocarbons produces water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), and as gas cools, it condenses into a liquid.
Step 3
The indicator in tube B changes colour to show an acidic gas
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The indicator in tube B changes colour due to the presence of carbon dioxide (CO₂) which is produced during the combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel. When dissolved in water, carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which decreases the pH, causing the indicator to change colour, demonstrating the acidity of the gas.