In order for combustion to take place, which component must be present?

For combustion to occur, heat is an essential component because it provides the necessary energy to initiate the chemical reaction between fuel and an oxidizing agent, typically oxygen. When the temperature reaches a certain threshold, known as the ignition point, the fuel begins to react with oxygen, causing a combustion reaction that produces heat and light.

In the context of fire, the presence of heat enables the breakdown of fuels, allowing them to react more readily with oxygen. This process continues as long as enough heat is present, alongside fuel and oxygen, demonstrating the fundamental fire triangle, which consists of these three elements. Without heat, the other components can exist without leading to combustion since there would be insufficient energy for the reaction to take place.