Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of combustion?

Combustion, fundamentally, is a chemical process where a substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and light. The key characteristics of combustion include rapid oxidation, which refers to the fast reaction between the fuel and oxygen, leading to an explosion of energy. The process typically releases heat and light; thus, heat evolution and light release are primary outcomes of combustion.

Absorption of oxygen, in contrast, does not fit the description of combustion. Instead of absorbing oxygen, combustion involves the consumption of oxygen in the reaction. This distinction is crucial because it emphasizes that combustion is an exothermic reaction, releasing energy rather than taking it in. Hence, recognizing the absence of oxygen absorption as a characteristic of combustion helps clarify the nature of this chemical process and its dependence on the provision of oxygen to sustain the reaction.