A combustion reaction, also known as burning, is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen. It produces oxidized, often gaseous products, in a mixture termed as smoke. The main characteristics of combustion reactions are:
- Exothermic: Combustion reactions release energy in the form of heat and/or light.
- Rapid: They occur quickly, often due to the high reactivity of the fuel and oxidant.
- Redox: Combustion reactions involve both oxidation and reduction processes, with the fuel being oxidized and the oxidant being reduced.
The products of a combustion reaction can vary, but the most common products are carbon dioxide and water. However, not all combustion reactions produce these specific products, and the presence of a flame is not always a characteristic of combustion.
