During combustion, the chemical reaction that takes place is an oxidation- reduction (redox) reaction. In this reaction, the fuel (such as hydrocarbons) undergoes oxidation by reacting with oxygen from the air, which serves as the oxidizing agent. This results in the breaking down of fuel molecules and the formation of new compounds, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), with the release of energy in the form of heat and light. Combustion reactions are exothermic, meaning they release energy. The general combustion reaction involves oxygen combining with the fuel, and the process is an example of a redox reaction because it involves the transfer of electrons between substances—the fuel loses electrons (oxidized) and oxygen gains electrons (reduced).
