What is a combustion reaction?

Question

What is a combustion reaction?

Answer 1

The reaction of an organic molecule with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

For example

2C6H6 +  15O2  = 12CO2  +   6H2O

THis is the ideal since these reactions rarely ever occur 100% as when you combust gas in a car.

Answer 2

When compounds react with oxygen they may release energy as heat and light. This is known as combustion. Fuels behave in this way. The general word equation is:

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen-> Carbon dioxide + Water

The more carbon atoms involved, the more energy released