Mo (s) + O2 (g) → MoO2 (s) : ΔHform = -587 kJ/mol, Mo (s)+ 3/2 O2 (g) → MoO3 (s) : ΔHform = -745 kJ/mol. 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. Get a free answer to a quick problem. Some inorganic compounds are combustible, believe it or not! Magnesium metal, for instance, will burn very bright and hot if you can manage to light it! Combustion produces water and carbon dioxide. Matthew V. can be oxidized. Start here or give us a call: (312) 646-6365, © 2005 - 2020 Wyzant, Inc. - All Rights Reserved, a Question 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 • 04/05/19, PhD in Physical Chemistry + BS in Chemistry w/ minor in Mathematics. All a combustion reaction is, is a reaction between a fuel (like gasoline) and an oxidizer (like oxygen in air) that generates heat. * When you break relatively weak bonds to make relatively strong bonds then energy is released. 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. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need. (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbfjyp9ZyhM). You can think of it like it's already been "burnt up". 2: The inorganic compound isn't volatile. This is an exothermic reaction (gives off heat) involving an inorganic oxide. answered • 03/14/19, Experienced High School Tutor specializing in Chemistry. Lucio F. A lot of inorganic compounds, like you said, are not combustible, and that is for one of two reasons: 1: They are already oxidized. For Free, SN1SN2 - Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions. This allows organic compounds to react with oxygen. They react more readily with oxygen in a reaction known as combustion. All a combustion reaction is, is a reaction between a fuel (like gasoline) and an oxidizer (like oxygen in air) that generates heat. They're just not very useful as day-to-day fuel, most of the time. Take a torch to a block of aluminum, and not much happens (it might melt, bit not enough evaporates to make a reaction visible). MoO2 (s) + 1/2 O2 (g) = MoO3 (s) : ΔHrxn = (Hproducts - Hreactants) = -745 - (-587) kJ/mol = -158 kJ/mol. Answer (1 of 3): Organic compounds are more flammable. Salts, inorganic compounds, do not react with oxygen, hence they are non-combustable. Most inorganic compounds contain ionic bonds - atoms tightly held together in contrast to organic (carbon) compounds. 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. So it won't evaporate enough to let new unreacted material get exposed to the oxidizer. 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? Most questions answered within 4 hours. 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.). Choose an expert and meet online. 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. A good example of this is aluminum. They're just not very useful as day-to-day fuel, most of the time. A link to the app was sent to your phone. When you break relatively weak bonds to make relatively strong bonds then energy is.. A link to the app was sent to your phone metal, for instance, will burn bright. 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