Is This Reaction Truly Combustion?

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Combustion requires a fuel, an oxidant, and typically oxygen, resulting in the production of heat and light. The discussion centers on the reactions involving ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and zinc (Zn), exploring whether these reactions qualify as combustion. The first reaction, where NH4NO3 decomposes with heat to produce nitrous oxide (N2O) and water, is analyzed alongside the second reaction, where NH4NO3 reacts with zinc to yield nitrogen gas (N2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and water. Both reactions involve oxidation-reduction processes, with NH4+ serving as the fuel and NO3- as the oxidant. The inquiry focuses on determining if these reactions can be classified as combustion, particularly in the absence of direct oxygen involvement, raising questions about the definitions used in educational contexts.
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what is needed for combustion?

I have this experiment NH4NO3 reacts to form (with chlorine as catalyst) N2O and water

the experiment is called oxidation of zinc, so another equation is Zn and NH4NO3 react to form ZnO and water. Anyways, the result is a blue flame and smoke

Combustion is the production of heat and light when something reacts with oxygen. I know that all combustion reactions are automatically oxidation reduction reactions. But how do i determine if oxygen is being used in this reaction to fuel the flame. Basically, is theis a redox and combustion reaction.
 
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Soley101 said:
what is needed for combustion?

I have this experiment NH4NO3 reacts to form (with chlorine as catalyst) N2O and water

the experiment is called oxidation of zinc, so another equation is Zn and NH4NO3 react to form ZnO and water. Anyways, the result is a blue flame and smoke

Combustion is the production of heat and light when something reacts with oxygen. I know that all combustion reactions are automatically oxidation reduction reactions. But how do i determine if oxygen is being used in this reaction to fuel the flame. Basically, is theis a redox and combustion reaction.

Sorry, could you rephrase your question more precisely?
You want to know about:
NH4NO3 + heat --> N2O + 2H2O
or about:
NH4NO3 + Zn --> N2 + ZnO + 2H2O
or what exactly?
 
How do I know if this reaction is a combustion reACTION? wHERE DOES IT REACT WITH OXYGEN TO PRODUCE HEAT AND LIGHT.
 
Soley101 said:
How do I know if this reaction is a combustion reACTION? wHERE DOES IT REACT WITH OXYGEN TO PRODUCE HEAT AND LIGHT.
Which reaction of the ones I've written?

NH4NO3 + heat --> N2O + 2H2O
Fuel: NH4+ [to be more precise: nitrogen(-III) in NH4+]
Oxidant: NO3- [nitrogen(+V) in NO3-]

NH4NO3 + Zn --> N2 + ZnO + 2H2O
Fuel: NH4+ and Zn
Oxidant: NO3-

So, yes, they both are combustions, even the first one (AFAIK).

Anyway, maybe someone could define a reaction as "combustion" only if a fuel reacts with oxygen (it would sound strange to me); I don't know how they defined it in your school/books/ecc.
 
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