main constituent of natural gas
methane
complete combustion
alkane + O2 -> water + CO2
Incomplete combustion producing CO
Alkane + O2 -> water + CO
Incomplete combustion producing soot
Alkane + O2 -> water + C
danger of CO
very poisonous. reduces blood capacity to carry oxygen
other harmful substances caused by burning fossil fuels
SO2: sulfur impurities in coal and oil. burns making sulfur dioxide. SO2 reacts with water making sulfurous acid in acid rain damaging limestone buildings
NOx: nitrogen oxides form in internal combustion engines because temperatures are very high. also contributes to acid rain as nitric acid