How does radiation transfer heat energy?

Radiation transfers heat energy through electromagnetic wave motion. This process involves the emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum or various mediums without the need for any physical particles to be present.

When an object emits energy as radiation, it does so at all temperatures above absolute zero, and the hotter the object, the more energy is radiated. For example, the sun emits energy that travels through the vacuum of space to warm the Earth, a prime illustration of heat transfer via radiation.

In contrast, conduction refers to heat transfer through direct contact in solids, convection involves the movement of fluid and heat transfer through circulation, and mechanical transfer implies a physical interaction between objects. These methods differ significantly from radiation, which relies on wave motion rather than direct contact or material movement to transfer energy.