# Camping stoves burn propane gas to heat food. When propane burns in oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are produced. Explain why burning propane in a camping stove is an exothermic reaction, referring to the bonds broken and bonds made during the reaction.

> OCR GCSE Chemistry A: Gateway Science (J248) — C3.3 Types of chemical reactions · Explain · 4 marks

> Propane is a fuel used in portable camping stoves. When propane burns, it reacts with oxygen to release energy to the surroundings.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Bond breaking is an endothermic process (energy is taken in to break bonds in the reactants)
2. Bond making is an exothermic process (energy is released when bonds form in the products)
3. The energy released making bonds in the products is greater than the energy taken in breaking bonds in the reactants
4. Therefore energy is transferred to the surroundings, causing the temperature of the surroundings to increase

## Key terms

- [exothermic reaction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/exothermic-reaction)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Chemistry A: Gateway Science (J248)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/camping-stoves-burn-propane-gas-to-77b50043) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.