A lot of ceramics (like glass) are made of metal oxides, which is to say metals that have already reacted with an oxidizer (like oxygen, chlorine, etc.). A good example of this is aluminum. All a combustion reaction is, is a reaction between a fuel (like gasoline) and an oxidizer (like oxygen in air) that generates heat. A link to the app was sent to your phone. Most inorganic compounds contain ionic bonds - atoms tightly held together in contrast to organic (carbon) compounds. answered 04/05/19, PhD in Physical Chemistry + BS in Chemistry w/ minor in Mathematics. They react more readily with oxygen in a reaction known as combustion. Start here or give us a call: (312) 646-6365, © 2005 - 2020 Wyzant, Inc. - All Rights Reserved, a Question They're just not very useful as day-to-day fuel, most of the time. MoO2 (s) + 1/2 O2 (g) = MoO3 (s) : ΔHrxn = (Hproducts - Hreactants) = -745 - (-587) kJ/mol = -158 kJ/mol. Salts, inorganic compounds, do not react with oxygen, hence they are non-combustable. A lot of inorganic compounds, like you said, are not combustible, and that is for one of two reasons: 1: They are already oxidized. So it won't evaporate enough to let new unreacted material get exposed to the oxidizer. Most questions answered within 4 hours. Magnesium metal, for instance, will burn very bright and hot if you can manage to light it! Some inorganic compounds are combustible, believe it or not! Combustion produces water and carbon dioxide. This is an exothermic reaction (gives off heat) involving an inorganic oxide. Because the C-O bond is stronger than the C-H bond and the H-O bond is stronger than the C-H bond. answered 03/14/19, Experienced High School Tutor specializing in Chemistry. There are different levels of oxidation for elements, so consider the products that can be possibly formed, i.e., can this element be further oxidized? Matthew V. They're just not very useful as day-to-day fuel, most of the time. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need. Choose an expert and meet online. * When you break relatively weak bonds to make relatively strong bonds then energy is released. For Free, SN1SN2 - Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions. Answer (1 of 3): Organic compounds are more flammable. Oftentimes the surface will get a layer of oxidized material (and more like case 1), which keeps the rest of the material from making contact with the oxidizer. 2: The inorganic compound isn't volatile. Take a torch to a block of aluminum, and not much happens (it might melt, bit not enough evaporates to make a reaction visible). This allows organic compounds to react with oxygen. Get a free answer to a quick problem. You can think of it like it's already been "burnt up". Lucio F. All a combustion reaction is, is a reaction between a fuel (like gasoline) and an oxidizer (like oxygen in air) that generates heat. (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbfjyp9ZyhM). Sodium metal may react with a lot of things, but once it's been oxidized by chlorine to make sodium chloride, it's not going anywhere. answered 03/19/19, Math and science tutor specializing in chemistry and physics, Some inorganic compounds are combustible, believe it or not! Many inorganic compounds can undergo combustion, i.e. Bu if you make it a fine powder (so the many small particles makes it behave more like a gas) you get a much more exciting reaction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhG2e6mpdEY, Stephen S. can be oxidized. Mo (s) + O2 (g) → MoO2 (s) : ΔHform = -587 kJ/mol, Mo (s)+ 3/2 O2 (g) → MoO3 (s) : ΔHform = -745 kJ/mol.