what is combustion reaction

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 redox chemical reaction that generates heat and light in the process. The reaction is often accompanied by flames, but not all combustion reactions result in fires. The products of the combustion of hydrocarbons, which are compounds made up solely of carbon and hydrogen, are usually carbon dioxide and water vapor/11%3A_Chemical_Reactions/11.06%3A_Combustion_Reactions). The reaction is often a complicated sequence of elementary radical reactions. While activation energy must be supplied to initiate combustion, the heat from a flame may provide enough energy to make the reaction self-sustaining. Combustion is one of the most important chemical reactions and has wide application in industry, the sciences, professions, and the home.