Promethium

Once the periodic table titles ran out, I was planning on naming posts after scientists, scientific principles, compounds, etc., with one of those being combustion. But after blowing up my car today, I feel it is fitting to provide some knowledge about combustion.

Combustion involves hydrocarbons (read: compounds with hydrogen and carbon) reacting with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water. Being fancy, the equation is as follows:

hydrocarbon + oxygen (gas) --> carbon dioxide (gas) + water (gas and liquid)

Here is where combustion gets interesting - you have all heard that you should never start your car in the garage with the door closed, as you'll produce carbon monoxide. Ever wonder why? You car engine is a combustion engine (aka it burns gas which is a mixture of hydrocarbons). With an infinite supply of oxygen (aka outdoors) it will always produce carbon dioxide and water. BUT, if you accidentally leave your car running in the garage with the door closed, the oxygen supply is limited, and the combustion reaction forms carbon monoxide and water instead. Cool, right? (well not really, since carbon monoxide is deadly :/)

Fortunately, I didn't start my car in the garage, as it's always parked outside. However, it's compressor did decide to die, which subsequently lit my fan belt on fire (another not so lovely combustion reaction). So I had a lovely morning standing next to my smoking car while I waited for someone to drive me home. Good thing I made it home from Michigan with two miles of driving to spare. Rest in peace Durango - you've been a good car.


Fun Fact: Like technetium, promethium is one of few elements above bismuth (element 83) that is not stable (read: radioactive). It was once used as a luminous paint after the harmful effects of radium were discovered and before tritium provided a safe alternative.