Question

why is a combustion reaction an oxidation reaction?

Answer 1

There are a few definitions of oxidation so it is worth having a look at them first before addressing the question. In its simplest form, oxidation is the addition of oxygen. In a combustion reaction oxygen is combined with the fuel source usually carbon and hydrogen based resulting in carbon dioxide and water and so this is an oxidation reaction. Another definition of oxidation is the removal of hydrogen, and for hydrocarbon fuels, the hydrogen bonds break away from the carbon atoms and so again by this definition, combustion is an oxidation reaction. A further definition of oxidation is the loss of electrons, however when a more electronegative element such as oxygen takes the place of a less electronegative element like hydrogen, the net effect is that the bonding electrons are attracted more towards the oxygen, giving a net effect of oxidation by the third definition.

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Answer 2

Yes, combustion is an example of oxidation reaction because when combustion(burning) takes place, oxygen is added up to the thing which is burning, this combustion(burning) can only take place in the presence of oxygen, if oxygen is not present burning will not take place.

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