# Propane (C₃H₈) is a hydrocarbon fuel used in camping gas stoves. When propane burns completely in oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are produced. Explain why burning propane is a chemical change and not a physical change.

> WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales) — 2.6 Carbon chemistry / organic chemistry · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. A chemical reaction takes place / a chemical change involves a chemical reaction
2. The products (carbon dioxide and water) have a different chemical composition to the reactants (propane and oxygen)
3. A physical change only involves a change in state / the chemical composition stays the same in a physical change
4. Burning propane produces substances that are chemically different / the propane is not simply changing state — it is converted into different compounds

## Key terms

- [chemical change](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chemical-change)
- [physical change](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/physical-change)
- [hydrocarbon](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hydrocarbon)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/propane-c-h-is-a-hydrocarbon-fuel-1015689b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.