In a combustion reaction, the two primary products are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). These products are formed when a hydrocarbon fuel reacts with oxygen (O2).
To explain further, during combustion, the carbon atoms in the fuel combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, while the hydrogen atoms combine with oxygen to form water. This reaction is commonly seen when burning fossil fuels, like gasoline or natural gas, which are primarily hydrocarbons. The general equation for a complete combustion of a hydrocarbon can be represented as:
CxHy + O2 → CO2 + H2O
If the combustion is complete, the products will be CO2 and H2O. However, if there is insufficient oxygen, incomplete combustion can occur, leading to the production of carbon monoxide (CO) or other hydrocarbons instead of, or in addition to, carbon dioxide.