What is the primary chemical process involved in combustion?

The primary chemical process involved in combustion is oxidation. Combustion occurs when a fuel reacts with an oxidizing agent, typically oxygen, producing heat, light, and various combustion products such as carbon dioxide and water. During this exothermic reaction, the fuel molecules lose electrons, which characterizes the oxidation process. This is what causes the rapid release of energy in the form of heat and light that we associate with fire.

Synthesis refers to the process of combining simpler substances to form a more complex substance and is not the primary mechanism in combustion. Similarly, reduction involves the gain of electrons and is essentially the opposite of oxidation, playing a lesser role in combustion processes. Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction involving the interaction of water with another substance, often leading to the breakdown of compounds, and does not apply to the combustion process itself. Thus, oxidation is fundamental to understanding how combustion takes place and is the correct answer for this question.