What type of reaction produces carbon dioxide and water when a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen?

A combustion reaction occurs when a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This type of reaction is characterized by the rapid combination of the hydrocarbon (which consists of carbon and hydrogen) with oxygen, resulting in the release of energy in the form of heat and light. The general formula for combustion can be represented as follows:

Hydrocarbon (C_xH_y) + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + energy.

During this process, the carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon combine with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, while the hydrogen atoms combine with oxygen to create water. This is essential in many natural and artificial processes, such as burning fuels for energy.

The other types of reactions listed do not result in the formation of carbon dioxide and water from a hydrocarbon. Decomposition reactions involve breaking down a single compound into two or more simpler products, single replacement reactions involve the replacement of one element in a compound by another element, and double replacement reactions typically involve the exchange of ions between two compounds, none of which fit the criteria for producing carbon dioxide and water from a hydrocarbon.