[Timbo_baggins]

Hi everyone. I would like to know how burning something organic or non-organic is an example of a redox reaction. I supppse i need to understand what would be oxidised, reduced etc but this is the only information i'm given to work with. Very stuck, please *delete me* Thanks

[Corribus]

Well let's take something like combustion of methane: reaction of methane with oxygen to form water and carbon dioxide.

What is the formal charge on each atom before the reaction and after? E.g., look at the oxygen atoms before the reaction (i.e., O₂ gas) and after the reaction (in water and carbon dioxide). Does the formal charge of oxygen change? Can you find any other atoms that formally change charge?

You should then write a balanced equation for the reaction and convince yourself that all the formal charge changes balance out to zero.

[mikasaur]

You should then write a balanced equation for the reaction and convince yourself that all the formal charge changes balance out to zero.

This is so often a good first step when it comes to solving and/or understanding any problem. In this case, as Corribus says, look at how the formal charges change for each atom on both sides of the equation.

[Timbo_baggins]

Thank you for taking the time to help me. It's really appreciated