Chem+of+combustion

media type="youtube" key="zDzLm4tBWKM" height="344" width="425"media type="youtube" key="2QB7XPMeLnA" height="344" width="425"media type="youtube" key="0CmGJucRDBk" height="344" width="425"media type="youtube" key="J6DnoWbMYMk" height="344" width="425" When the words combustion and environment are used in the same sentence, the sentence is usually about internal combustion engines. The first internal combustion engine was created in 1876 by August Otto. Since its first model over one hundred and twenty five years ago the internal combustion engine has been used for most vehicles. Combustion engines arent just limited to gasoline either, diesel engines and jet engines also have combustion engines.
 * Backround:**

The reason this type of engine is not good for the environment is because of the exhaust fumes it creates. Chemicals such as Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide are emitted. Carbon Dioxide has a strong connection with global warming while Carbon Monoxide is very toxic and has a stronger bond with the hemoglobin in your body then oxygen does. This means that it makes it harder for the cells in your body to get oxygen. Other chemicals that are emitted from the internal combustion engine are oxides of nitrogen (NO & NO2) and hydrocarbons. Both of these chemicals are dangerous to your health, especially hydrocarbon, and both are leading contributors to photochemical smog.
 * Chemicals Involved:**

This type of smog is produced when pollutant hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react in the atmosphere. The reactions that make Photochemical Smog are very complex so we will only show of the reactions. When there are high levels of NO2 in the atmosphere it will have these reactions: NO2 --> NO. + O. O. + O2 --> O3 O3 + NO. --> O2 + NO2 An example of a hydrocarbon is methane. This is some of the reactions of methane which would take place in the atmosphere: CH4 + O. --> H3C. + HO. H3C. + O2 --> H3COO. CH4 + HO. --> H3C. + H2O H3COO. + NO --> H3CO. + NO2 H3COO. + NO2 --> CH3OONO2 Although we do not fully explain the process of photochemical smog (it is long and boring and i dont know what it all means) we have given a few reactions that will take place. One simple fact that is good to know is that sixty percent of smog in cities is caused by internal combustion engines and their pollutants.
 * Photochemical Smog:**

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 * How It Works**

.Catalytic converters take all the bad exhaust pollutants and break them down so they are less harmful to the environment, these are present in newer cars .Riding bikes and walking places won't hurt, driving less equals less use of the internal combustion engine which equals less pollutants in the air .Pick a car that is needed, if you do not need a big truck or suv then do not buy one. Smaller cars are more fuel effecient and usually cost less anyway .Hybrid vehicles do wonders in the city, if you dont use your car much on the open road and stop and go alot then you should look in to getting a hybrid car
 * Solutions:**

www.youtube.com www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A16407173
 * Sources:**