What is the term for a rapid chemical process that produces heat and light?

The term that describes a rapid chemical process producing heat and light is combustion. This process involves the reaction of a fuel with an oxidizing agent, typically oxygen in the air, resulting in the release of energy in the form of heat and light. Combustion can occur in various forms, such as flames or smoldering, and is fundamental in many applications, including engines and heating systems, as well as in fire dynamics.

In contrast, oxidation refers to a broader range of reactions involving the loss of electrons, which may not necessarily produce heat and light rapidly. Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, resulting in solid, liquid, and gaseous products, but it does not involve a rapid release of heat and light in the way that combustion does. Conflagration describes a large and destructive fire, which is an outcome of combustion, but it is not a term that defines the chemical process itself. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific characteristics of combustion as a rapid and energy-releasing chemical reaction.