Combustion is the result of which type of reaction?

Combustion is classified as a chemical reaction because it involves the chemical transformation of substances. During combustion, a fuel (typically containing carbon and hydrogen) reacts with an oxidizer, commonly oxygen from the air, resulting in the formation of new substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and often heat and light.

This process is characterized by the breaking of chemical bonds in the reactants and the formation of new bonds in the products, which exemplifies a typical chemical reaction. The energy released in combustion reactions is a key aspect that differentiates them from physical reactions, which do not involve changes in the chemical composition of the substances involved.

In contrast to combustion, physical reactions do not involve changes in molecular structure. Electrical reactions involve changes due to electric currents, and nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus of the atom, neither of which accurately describe the process of combustion. Thus, the classification of combustion as a chemical reaction is foundational in understanding fire dynamics and safety in firefighting.