An example of a chemical reaction is the combustion of propane (C₃H₈) in the presence of oxygen (O₂). During this reaction, propane reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), along with the release of energy in the form of heat and light. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
\[ \text{C}_3\text{H}_8 + 5\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 3\text{CO}_2 + 4\text{H}_2\text{O} \]
This process involves the breaking of chemical bonds in the reactants and the formation of new bonds in the products, which is characteristic of a chemical reaction.