Question

Give three essential conditions for combustion.

Answer 1

Combustion refers to the process where a substance burns in the presence of Oxygen, giving off heat and light in the process.

There are three essential requirements for combustion-

• A combustible substance
• Supporter of combustion
• Ignition temperature

Let us understand it with an example of burning of Magnesium ribbon in oxygen.

$\underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}}{2\mathrm{Mg}}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2}\stackrel{\mathrm{Burn}}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{oxide}}{2\mathrm{MgO}}+\mathrm{Heat}+\mathrm{Light}$

Here, Magnesium is burning in presence of oxygen to give Magnesium oxide, heat and light.

• Magnesium is the combustible substance here.
• Oxygen is supporter of combustion
• The reaction is occuring at the ignition temperature.

Ignition temperature refers to the minimum temperature required to initiate process of combustion.