What type of reaction is represented by the equation C(s) + O2(g) -> CO2(g)?

The reaction represented by the equation C(s) + O2(g) -> CO2(g) is a combination reaction. In this process, two or more reactants combine to form a single product. Here, solid carbon (C) reacts with gaseous oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), demonstrating the merging of two substances to create a new compound.

This type of reaction is significant in chemistry because it illustrates how elements and compounds can interact to form more complex substances, which is foundational to understanding various biochemical and industrial processes. The formation of CO2 as a single product from its constituent elements is a clear hallmark of a combination reaction.