Which of the following processes is an example of combustion?

The burning of fossil fuels is a clear example of combustion, as this process involves a chemical reaction where a fuel (like coal, oil, or natural gas) reacts with oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light. During combustion, carbon and hydrogen in the fuel combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, which are byproducts of the reaction. This energy release is what powers engines, generates electricity, and provides heat for various applications.

In contrast, the other processes listed do not involve the rapid reaction of a substance with oxygen to produce heat and light. Photosynthesis, for instance, is the process by which plants capture sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, essentially storing energy rather than releasing it. Respiration is a biochemical process where living organisms convert glucose and oxygen into usable energy, carbon dioxide, and water, but it occurs at a much slower rate than combustion. Rusting of metals is a form of oxidation, where metals corrode and oxidize slowly over time, but again, it does not involve a quick, energy-releasing reaction like combustion.