Equations for hydrocarbons (in crude oil spills) evaporating?!

Question

aaronq · Answer

$C_xH_{y\;(l)}\rightarrow C_xH_{y\;(g)} $

did you mean combusting?

anonymous · Answer

I'm looking at the pollutants formed when oil is spilled on the ocean, I understand there are many hydrocarbons involved in these reactions but I'm sure there would be at least one example of one reacting with sunlight as a catalyst to change physical form?

anonymous · Answer

So sorry, not combustion

aaronq · Answer

higher frequency light (UV and higher) would be able to homolytically cleave hydrocarbons producing radicals.

e.g. $C_xH_y +\;h\nu \rightarrow \bullet C_xH_{y-1} + \bullet H $

These can react with other molecules destructively. Is there a specific example you're looking for?

abb0t · Answer

this is a lab experiment, correct? i think i remember this lab.