CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON.
The combustion of carbon:
Carbon reacts with oxygen to form two oxides, carbon dioxide, CO2, and carbon monoxide CO.
The proportions of these two oxides formed during combustion depend on the conditions.
At about 500 ºC, carbon dioxide is produced almost exclusively, provided that oxygen is in excess:
C(s) + O2(g) CO2(g)
At higher temperatures, or when the supply of oxygen is restricted, carbon monoxide is the main product.