During combustion, a type of chemical reaction known as an "oxidation-reduction" or "redox" reaction takes place. In a redox reaction, there is a transfer of electrons from one substance (the reducing agent or fuel) to another (the oxidizing agent, typically oxygen), resulting in the formation of new chemical compounds.
In the case of combustion, the fuel (e.g., hydrocarbons in gasoline, methane in natural gas, or wood) undergoes oxidation, and oxygen from the air serves as the oxidizing agent. The fuel molecules are broken down, and their carbon and hydrogen atoms combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as the primary combustion products. This process releases energy in the form of heat and often light, which is why combustion is used for heating, lighting, and energy production.
The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of a hydrocarbon like methane (CH4) is as follows:
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
In this reaction, methane (CH4) combines with oxygen (O2) to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), with the release of energy.
