Chapter 3.2 3.2 Patterns of Chemical Reactivity From the periodic table, we can predict what a particular reaction will produce. This type of reaction is typical of all alkali metals that react with water. Combustion in Air Rapid reactions that produce a flame is called combustion. Most of these types of reactions involve oxygen from the air to be one of the reactants. Many compounds that participate in combustion are hydrocarbons, which are compounds that conatin only hydrogen and oxygen.
Some alcohols also combust in the presence of oxygen and produce carbon dioxide and water.
In combination reactions, two or more compounds react to form one product. In decomposition reactions, one compound reacts to form two or more products.