Combustion

Combustion or heating is a reaction where heat is produced by an exothermic reaction. Combustion is an oxidation reaction. For the reaction to take place, a fuel and an oxidant should be there. Substances undergoing the combustion are known as fuels. These can be hydrocarbons like petrol, diesel, methane, or hydrogen gas, etc. Usually the oxidizing agent is oxygen, but there can be other oxidants like fluorine too. In the reaction, the fuel is oxidized by the oxidant. So this is an oxidation reaction. When hydrocarbon fuels are used, the products after a complete combustion are usually carbon dioxide and water. In a complete combustion, few products will be formed, and it will produce the maximum energy output that the reactant can give. But for a complete combustion to take place, unlimited and constant oxygen supply and optimum temperature should be there. Complete combustion is not always favored. Rather incomplete combustion takes place. If the combustion does not happen completely, carbon monoxide and other particles can be released into the atmosphere, which can cause much pollution.

Burning

This is also a type of combustion. If flames are arising as a result of the combustion process, then it is known as burning. When a flammable material and oxygen is reacted together, the material will burn. As a result, heat and light energy is produced.