In a combustion reaction, is carbon used to make reactants burn?

Question

Mateo Aguilar · Accepted Answer

In a combustion reaction, a substance is oxidized; of course carbon can be oxidized, and the most usual oxidant is dioxygen gas, #O_2#.

So, in effect, oxygen gas is used to make the carbon burn: #C(s)+O_2(g) rarr CO_2(g)# Zerovalent carbon, #C^0# has been oxidized up to #C^(+IV)#. Zerovalent dioxygen, has been reduced to carbon dioxide, #O^(-II)#. The sum of the oxidation numbers equals the charge on the product, which is here #0#.

Caleb Adams · Answer

No, you do not necessarily have to have carbon involved in a combustion reaction at all.

The process of combustion is essentially the reaction of a substance with oxygen to produce heat and light. Since this process is typically used to heat and light our living spaces, carbon (or carbon-based) fuels, such as oil, wood, coal, and natural gas, are readily available and easily handled for use in the home (especially materials like coal and wood). However, carbon is not a requirement for combustion to occur. For instance, sulfur can be burned to produce sulfur dioxide, or metals like magnesium can be burned to produce magnesium oxide. Reactants burn because of two simple factors: energy and oxygen. If you provide enough heat energy in an oxygenated environment, a fuel will burn, whether it contains carbon or not.

Caleb Adams · Answer

undefined Yes, carbon can be used as a fuel in a combustion reaction to help the reactants burn more easily.