What is defined as a chemical process of oxidation that produces heat and light?

The correct answer, combustion, is defined as a chemical process involving the rapid oxidation of a substance, typically a fuel, that results in the release of heat and light. This process occurs when a fuel reacts with an oxidizer, usually oxygen in the air, leading to the production of combustion products such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. The heat generated during combustion is what makes this process exothermic, meaning it releases energy, while the light emitted results from the high-temperature reactions that occur during the burning process.

Understanding combustion is essential for fire protection, as it lays the foundational knowledge for recognizing fire behavior and the conditions under which fires can ignite and spread. This knowledge informs safety protocols and firefighting strategies.

The other concepts are distinct processes: conduction refers to the transfer of heat through materials, convection involves the movement of heat through fluids (liquids or gases), and radiation describes the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. These processes do not inherently involve a chemical reaction that produces heat and light like combustion does.