What happens to oxygen during complete combustion?

During complete combustion, oxygen plays a crucial role as it reacts with fuel. This reaction contributes to the combustion process, where the fuel (typically a hydrocarbon) combines with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, along with releasing energy in the form of heat and light. This process is essential for various applications, such as heating and powering engines.

When combustion is complete, it indicates that there has been an adequate supply of oxygen to react fully with the available fuel, leading to an efficient burn. The products of complete combustion, primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor, are the result of this chemical reaction where oxygen is actively participating by combining with the elements of the fuel. Thus, in this scenario, the correct understanding is that oxygen is not merely present but is engaged directly in the chemical reaction with the fuel.