Which component is required for combustion to occur?

For combustion to occur, oxygen is an essential component. Combustion is a chemical reaction that typically involves a fuel reacting with an oxidizing agent, and in most cases, this oxidizing agent is oxygen from the air. The process of combustion releases energy in the form of heat and light.

Without oxygen, the fuel cannot undergo combustion; it cannot burn. This is why controlling the oxygen supply is a critical aspect of fire prevention and firefighting. Adding or removing oxygen can help either promote combustion (by providing more oxygen) or extinguish a fire (by depriving it of oxygen).

While carbon monoxide, high temperatures, and flashpoint materials play roles in the broader context of combustion and fire behavior, they are not fundamental requirements for combustion itself. Carbon monoxide is actually a byproduct of incomplete combustion, high temperatures can facilitate the combustion process, and flashpoint materials relate to the minimum temperature at which a substance can ignite. However, oxygen remains the core requirement for the combustion reaction to occur.