What process involves light and heat through the burning of any substance?

The process that involves the production of light and heat through the burning of any substance is combustion. During combustion, a fuel reacts rapidly with oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light. This exothermic reaction typically produces various byproducts, including gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor, depending on the material that is burning.

Combustion is a fundamental concept in fire science, as it not only explains how fires initiate and sustain themselves but also helps in understanding fire behavior and the necessary conditions for various types of fires. In contrast, the other processes mentioned, such as condensation and evaporation, relate to phase changes of matter rather than chemical reactions that produce light and heat, and oxidation, while it is a broader chemical reaction involving the loss of electrons, does not specifically denote the heat and light generation characteristic of combustion. Thus, combustion is distinctly recognized for its role in fire dynamics.