What type of reaction results in combustion?

Combustion is a type of chemical reaction that occurs when a fuel reacts with an oxidizing agent, typically oxygen, producing heat and light in the form of flames. During this process, the chemical bonds in the reactants are broken and new bonds are formed, resulting in the creation of different substances, often in the form of gases and heat energy.

This reaction is characterized by its exothermic nature, meaning it releases energy. The most common example is the burning of hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Understanding combustion as a chemical reaction is crucial for firefighters, as it helps them recognize how fires start and sustain themselves, and the importance of controlling the chemical components involved. This contrasts with the other types of reactions, such as electrical reactions (involving the flow of electrons), physical reactions (which do not change the chemical composition of substances), and nuclear reactions (where changes occur in the nucleus of an atom).