How does radiation transfer heat?

Heat transfer through radiation occurs via energy waves, which are a form of electromagnetic radiation. This mechanism does not require a medium, such as air or water, to transfer energy; it can occur even in a vacuum. The most common example of heat transfer by radiation is the warmth you feel from sunlight, where the sun emits energy in the form of radiation that travels through the vacuum of space to reach Earth.

In contrast, conduction involves the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, while convection requires the movement of fluids. Chemical reactions involve the transformation of substances and the release or absorption of energy but are not a method of heat transfer in the context of thermal energy movement. Thus, the dominant characteristic of heat transfer by radiation is its reliance on energy waves, making it distinct from the other methods of heat transfer.