Which process involves the emission, transmission, and absorption of energy traveling by electromagnetic waves?

The process that involves the emission, transmission, and absorption of energy traveling by electromagnetic waves is radiation. Unlike conduction and convection, which require a medium for heat transfer (solids for conduction and fluids for convection), radiation can occur through a vacuum and does not rely on matter. This allows it to transfer energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as infrared radiation from the sun warming the Earth.

In practical applications, understanding radiation is critical for fire safety and prevention, as it is how heat from fires can spread, even across distances, affecting materials and structures that may not be in direct contact with flames. This principle is important in fire inspection, as it helps inspectors understand the potential spread of heat and flames during a fire incident. Hence, radiation is a fundamental concept in both fire science and broader thermodynamic processes.