What happens when we start a fire? What does it produce? When a chemical reaction occurs, it changes the properties of a substance and produces something different. Chemical reactions occur around us alll the time. Combustion, oxidation and fermentation are chemical reactions. They are caused by agents, such as heat and oxygen. Combustion Combustion (or burning) is a chemical reaction that produces energy in the form of heat and light. Combustion occurs when oxygen in the air reacts with a fuel, such as wood, petrol or natural gas. When fuels burn, some waste products are produced. Wood, petrol and natural gas are examples of fuels. When wood burns, it produces When petrol burns, it produce When natural gas burns, it smoke and ash. It also produces carbon dioxide and other gases produces carbon dioxide and waste gases, such as carbon Italso releases solid particles into _ other waste gases, but it is cleaner dioxide, the air. than wood or petrol. Oxidation Some metals, such as iron, react when they are exposed to air. Iron reacts with oxygen in the air and changes to a brown substance called rust (iron oxide). This type of chemical reaction is called oxidati Some foods also oxidise. Rust forms when iron oxidises Apple flesh oxidises and turns brown CMM Ne eC ‘When wood burns, ... is produced. Burning petrol releases £93 Discuss the questions about combustion fuels, © What is produced when wood burns? © What does burning petrol release? © Why is natural gas better than wood? 60