Final answer:
A combustion reaction is where a substance combines with oxygen, producing new substances and releasing energy, typically in the form of heat and light.
Step-by-step explanation:
A chemical reaction that involves the combination of oxygen with other substances to produce new substances, along with the release of energy, is called a combustion reaction. These reactions are exothermic, meaning they release energy; this can be in the form of light and heat. A classic example of a combustion reaction is the burning of methane, where methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2) are the reactants and the products are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), releasing heat in the process.
During the process of combustion, chemical bonds in the reactants are broken and new bonds are formed in the products. For instance, the combustion of hydrogen gas involves the breaking of H2 bonds and the forming of new bonds to create water vapor (2H2 + O2 → 2H2O + Heat). These reactions are not only pivotal in everyday energy generation but also underpin many industrial processes.