What happens to the energy from fossil fuels during combustion?

During combustion, the energy stored in fossil fuels is transformed mainly into thermal energy and light. This process occurs when fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, are burned, triggering a chemical reaction that releases energy. The combustion process generates heat, which is a form of thermal energy, and produces light, as you can often see flames when fuels are burned.

Thermal energy is what makes combustion useful for various applications, such as heating buildings or powering engines, as it can be harnessed to perform work. The energy is not ‘lost completely,’ nor does it get stored indefinitely; instead, it changes form as part of the energy transformation process during combustion. Hence, the focus is on how the energy is released and converted into usable forms like heat and light.