Final answer:
Organic combustion reactions involve carbon-containing substances and produce carbon dioxide and water, while inorganic combustion reactions lack carbon in the reacting substances. The combustion of hydrogen gas, which produces water vapor, is an example of inorganic combustion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Organic and Inorganic Combustion Reactions
The key difference between organic combustion and inorganic combustion reactions lies in the compounds that combust. Organic combustion typically involves carbon-containing substances reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, along with the release of energy in the form of heat and light, often observed as flame. For example, a common organic combustion reaction is the burning of methane:
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O + Heat.
In contrast, inorganic combustion involves substances without carbon. A classic example would be the combustion of hydrogen gas, which generates water vapor as the only product:
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O(g).
While both types of reactions adhering to principles such as the conservation of energy and obeying natural laws, the substances involved and the products formed are typically what distinguish organic from inorganic combustion reactions.