Yes, you can spot combustion reactions by looking at what they start with!

Combustion usually happens with a hydrocarbon, which is a compound made of hydrogen and carbon (like propane, $C_3H_8$), and oxygen ($O_2$). When these two mix together, they produce carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and water ($H_2O$).

Example:

• Reactants: $C_3H_8 + 5O_2$
• Products: $3CO_2 + 4H_2O$

Key Points:

• Check for hydrocarbons or sugars.
• Always look for $O_2$ as a reactant!
• The products you want to find are usually $CO_2$ and $H_2O$.

By recognizing these signs, you can easily tell if a reaction is a combustion reaction!