Everyday Science · 45 sec
Combustion
The science behind something you encounter, use, or wonder about.
The useful idea
- The useful idea
Combustion, or burning, is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel (the reductant) and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen, that produces oxidized, often gaseous products,
- How it works
Combustion does not always result in fire, because a flame is only visible when substances undergoing combustion vaporize, but when it does, a flame is a characteristic indicator of the reaction.
- Why it matters
While activation energy must be supplied to initiate combustion (e.g., using a lit match to light a fire), the heat from a flame may provide enough energy to make the reaction self-sustaining.
Why this matters
Look for Combustion the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Combustion the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Combustion?
- Why it matters
- How it works
- The useful idea — correct
Combustion, or burning, is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel (the reductant) and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen, that produces oxidized, often gaseous products,