burning

Burning is the chemical process of combustion in which a fuel reacts rapidly with an oxidizer, releasing heat and often light. For fire to start and continue, three elements must be present: heat, fuel, and an oxidizer, a framework known as the fire triangle. The reaction typically produces heat, light, and reaction products such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, though the exact outputs depend on the materials involved.

Flaming combustion occurs when flames are sustained, mixing fuel vapors with air and producing visible heat and light. Smoldering combustion is a slower, flameless form that can consume solid fuels through surface oxidation. Some materials can undergo thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) before burning, releasing combustible gases that feed flames.

In most flames, heat sustains a network of radical reactions that propagate the flame. The flame temperature and color depend on fuel and air ratio; complete combustion yields mainly carbon dioxide and water, while incomplete combustion can produce carbon monoxide, soot, and other pollutants. Ventilation and fuel geometry influence fire behavior.

Burning powers many human activities, including heating, cooking, and propulsion, and is integral to several industrial processes. It also plays a natural role in ecosystems through wildfires, which can renew habitats but threaten life and property when uncontrolled.

Safety considerations address preventing unintended ignition, controlling fuel sources, and providing adequate ventilation. In fire emergencies, cooling, depriving a fire of fuel, or removing the oxygen supply are common extinguishing approaches.