Question

What are the products of a combustion reaction?
(A) Carbon dioxide and water
(B) Oxygen and water
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Water
(E) Hydrocarbons

Answer 1

Hint: A combustion reaction is a chemical reaction in which a carbon containing compound is burned in the presence of oxygen present in the air. This reaction takes place between a combustible substance and an oxidizing agent (oxidizer) and the product of the combustion reaction is an oxidized substance which we will see in detail.

Complete answer:
We should first know about the combustion reaction. A combustion reaction is a chemical reaction in which a carbon-containing compound is burned in the presence of oxygen present in the air. This reaction takes place between a combustible substance and an oxidizing agent (oxidizer) and the product of the combustion reaction is an oxidized substance or compound. This is an exothermic reaction which means it releases heat.
Hence, if we take an example of methane, it will burn in the presence of oxygen from air as follows:
 $ C{H_4} + 2{O_2} \to C{O_2} + 2{H_2}O + Energy $
From the above reaction, we can see that, in the combustion reaction of methane, Carbon dioxide and water are formed as products.
Hence, the products of a combustion reaction are carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, option (A) is correct.

Note:
There are many applications of combustion in various fields such as: Nowadays, vehicles use internal combustion engines and it can also be used in explosives. Combustion can be used in the metallurgical industries in the blast furnace to purify metals. Rocket propulsion is also based on the principle of combustion.