Products of combustion reactions

[Erik Buetow 1F]

Are CO2 and H2O always products in a combustion reaction? If so, can there be any other products also or just those two?

[Mashkinadze_1D]

Hello! In the majority of combustion, oxidation, and metabolizing reactions , carbon dioxide and water will be the products. Although these are usually the products, there may be additional molecular compounds that were also created during the combustion reaction. Hope this helps!

[nehashetty_2G]

I believe combustion reactions always only produce H20 and CO2. I have never seen anything other than that. The only other product other than H20 and CO2 that I can think of would be heat.

[Andrew Liang 1I]

Yes! In complete combustion CO2 and H2O are usually the byproduct of combustion unless the problem gives you other byproduct. However i believe in incomplete combustion, CO is produced instead of CO2.

[Eesha Sohail 1D]

If I recall correctly, incomplete combustion occurs in the presence of inadequate oxygen, but I'd appreciate if someone could check me on that. An example equation I found for the process, ft. methane:



Would this also possibly count as a side reaction? As in, do most combustion reactions go to completion or is incomplete combustion a possible source of experimental error?

[Malia Shitabata 1F]

Are they also always in the same physical states ie gas?

[IScarvie 1E]

I believe when you are told to write an equation for a combustion reaction, you assume the products will be CO2 and H2O. However, sometimes you will be given other products, like in homework problem M19.

[annikaying]

The products always include CO2 and H2O but there can also be additional products depending on what is being combusted. For example the combustion of caffeine (C8H10N4O2) also produces the product NO2 alongside CO2 and H2O.