Chemical reactions: combustion
I can describe the processes of combustion and burning, and name the products of these reactions.
Chemical reactions: combustion
I can describe the processes of combustion and burning, and name the products of these reactions.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Combustion requires fuel, oxygen, and an initial source of energy, usually heat, to start the reaction.
- The term 'burning' describes the reaction of substances with oxygen and is commonly used to refer to visible flames.
- Water is often formed in chemical reactions if oxygen and hydrogen atoms are present.
- Carbon dioxide is often formed in chemical reactions if oxygen and carbon atoms are present.
- Carbon dioxide and water both consist of small molecules that form easily with strong bonds.
Keywords
Combustion - Fuel reacts with oxygen to release energy and requires fuel, oxygen and heat to start the reaction.
Burning - Is a type of combustion where substances react with oxygen and produce visible flames.
Molecule - Made up of two or more atoms chemically bonded together. These are usually non-metal atoms.
Fuel - A substance that releases its stored energy when it undergoes combustion.
Oxidation - A type of reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants.
Common misconception
Pupils struggle to understand that products of water and carbon dioxide are made when combustion takes place as they cannot see them.
Remind pupils about the rule of rearranging atoms from reactants to form products. Use a molecular modelling kit to show the combustion of methane. Remember to balance the reaction so that conservation of mass occurs.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Chemical reactions: combustion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Chemical reactions: combustion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Understanding chemical reactions unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Beakers of differing sizes, heat resistant mat, candles, Bunsen burner, splints, adhesive putty to seal the spouts of the beakers.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Particles are closely packed and have the least energy.
Particles are loosely packed and can flow but remain close.
Particles move rapidly and are widely spaced.
iron oxide
magnesium oxide
copper oxide
phosphorous pentoxide
carbon dioxide
sulfur dioxide