Combustion is an important topic we study in Year 11 chemistry.

It’s a special type of chemical reaction that falls into a group called exothermic reactions. This means that combustion gives off energy, mainly as heat and light.

So, what is combustion?

In simple terms, it's when a substance, often a hydrocarbon, reacts with oxygen to create carbon dioxide and water.

For example, when methane (which is written as $\text{CH}_4$) burns, the process looks like this:

$$\text{CH}_4 + 2 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O}$$

This reaction fits well with other types of chemical reactions too. Here’s a quick look at how combustion compares to them:

• Synthesis: You combine two or more things to make one new product.
• Decomposition: One thing breaks down into simpler parts.
• Single Replacement: One part takes the place of another in a compound.
• Double Replacement: Parts in two compounds switch places.

What makes combustion special?

It always involves oxygen and usually creates energy.

This topic is exciting because it’s not just about science. We see combustion all around us every day, in things like car engines and fireplaces.

So, learning about combustion is really useful, not just for understanding the theory but for real life too!