Words / B2

k-uh-m-BUSCH-uh-n/kəmˈbʌstʃən/

Combustion is the process of burning (usually uncountable in science): complete combustion; combustion of methane. Burn is the everyday verb; fire is the event. Write the combustion equation in the practical. Mix-up: combination (already in the dictionary); explosion (a blast, not all burning). Do not write combustion for rusting without the exam’s redox framing.

Meaning

The process of burning (usually uncountable in science).

Examples

• “Write the combustion equation in the practical, not a bonfire caption.”
• “Incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide, which is the chemistry-trap sense.”

Good to know

combustion of; complete / incomplete combustion. Everyday verb: burn. Trap: combination. Chemistry and physics. Burning as a chemical process, not a campfire story.

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