Final answer:
The formation of table salt from sodium and chlorine is a synthesis reaction, not a combustion reaction. Combustion involves a reaction with oxygen and the release of energy, which is different from the reactive process that forms table salt, even though it also releases energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of table salt (NaCl) from sodium metal (Na) and chlorine gas (Cl2) is not an example of a combustion reaction. Combustion typically involves a substance reacting with oxygen and releasing energy in the form of heat and light. The generic equation for a combustion reaction is typically CxHy + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + Heat, where a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water along with the release of heat. Instead, the formation of table salt is an example of a synthesis reaction, where sodium loses an electron to chlorine, forming a stable ionic compound. While this process does release energy in the form of light and heat, it does not meet the criteria of a combustion reaction.