The Combustion reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Combustion

Combustion or burning is a chemical reaction in which a fuel combines with oxygen (often in the form of gaseous O₂), releasing heat and producing an oxide. The most common types of fuel are organic materials containing carbon and hydrogen.

The products of such reactions usually include water (H₂O) as well as carbon monoxide (CO) and/or carbon dioxide (CO₂). Other byproducts, such as partially reacted fuel and elemental carbon (C) may generate visible smoke and soot.

The process of destroying unwanted materials by burning is known as incineration.

For burn injuries, see burn.

See Also

• internal combustion engine
• spontaneous combustion
• fire
• deflagration
• detonation
• pyrolysis
• phlogiston
• pyrophoric

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