what is combustion in chemistry

Combustion is a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen, that produces oxidized, often gaseous products, in a mixture termed as smoke. It is a high-temperature exothermic (heat releasing) redox (oxygen adding) chemical reaction. Combustion reactions must involve oxygen as one reactant, and they release energy in the form of light and heat/11%3A_Chemical_Reactions/11.06%3A_Combustion_Reactions). The products of the combustion of hydrocarbons are carbon dioxide and water/11%3A_Chemical_Reactions/11.06%3A_Combustion_Reactions). Combustion is a thermochemical reaction, which means that heat is always generated, and it can also be classified as an oxidation reaction because it produces an oxide. The taming of fire is what paved the way for the development of human civilization, and combustion continues to be the main method to produce energy for humanity.