1. Combustion Reaction
Caroline Monger, Emily Smith, Lauren Cochran, Jada Miles, and Erin Ball

2. What is a combustion reaction?
A combustion reaction is a major class of chemical reactions. Combustion usually occurs when a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. In the more general sense, combustion involves a reaction between any combustible material (meaning it will ignite and burn) and an oxidizer (a type of chemical which a fuel requires to burn) to form an oxidized product. Combustion is an exothermic reaction, so it releases heat, but sometimes the reaction proceeds so slowly that a temperature change is not noticeable.

3. When a combustion reaction will/will not proceed
A combustion reaction will proceed when a reactant burns in oxygen producing different products, such as carbon dioxide, water, and sulfur dioxide. This is called a complete combustion reaction.
A combustion reaction will not proceed when there is not enough oxygen to allow the fuel to react completely to produce carbon dioxide and water. This is called an incomplete combustion reaction.

4. Smouldering
Smouldering is the slow, low-temperature, flameless form of combustion, sustained by the heat evolved when oxygen directly attacks the surface of a condensed-phase fuel. It is a typically incomplete combustion reaction.

5. Rapid combustion
Rapid is a form of combustion, otherwise known as fire. This is where large amounts of heat and light energy are released. This is used in forms of machinery such as internal combustion engines.

6. Spontaneous and turbulent combustion
Spontaneous combustion occurs when something self-heats, rises rapidly in temperature and then finally ignites.(without the application of heat)
Turbulent combustion results in a turbulent flame and is the most used for industrial application (e.g. gas turbines, gasoline engines, etc.) because the turbulence helps the mixing process between the fuel and oxidizer.

7. Written example of a reaction:
combustion of methane
CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)
combustion of ethane
2 C2H6 + 7 O2 → 4 CO2 + 6 H2O

8. Combustion of butane 2C₄H₁₀ + 13O₂ --> 8CO₂ + 10H₂O
The gas inside of lighters is called butane. The butane reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere and produces carbon dioxide and water (as shown above). When oxygen is plentiful the reaction will take place without a hitch, but if there is little oxygen to be used, the reaction would no longer produce carbon dioxide and water. It would produce carbon (soot) or carbon monoxide.

9. Why is it important in society?
Cooking food and heating homes have been two major applicants of combustion. The use of combustion as a power source has been a major influence on society. The use of combustion has caused a lot of environmental problems, though. For example, carbon monoxide, which comes from a combustion reaction, is toxic and sometimes reaches high concentration levels in urban areas.

10. Works Cited
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Learn About Combustion Reactions."About.com Education. About.com, 17 Nov Web. 15 Feb <
"Combustion." - Humans, Body, Used, Water, Process, Life, Plants, Type. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web. 15 Feb <
"Complete and Incomplete Combustion." Complete and Incomplete Combustion. Web. 16 Feb < >.