Radiation
Heat transfer by radiation
Heat can be transferred by Radiation which transfers heat energy. Part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a longer wavelength than light waves but a shorter wavelength than radio waves. radiation. Unlike The transfer of heat through a material by transferring kinetic energy from one particle to another. and The transfer of heat energy through a moving liquid or gas. - which need particles - infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that involves waves.
Because no particles are involved, radiation can even work through the A volume that contains no matter. of space. This is why we can still feel the heat of the Sun even though it is 150 million kilometres from the Earth.
Different surfaces
Some surfaces are better than others at reflecting and absorbing infrared radiation. This table summarises some differences.
| Surface | Absorption | Emission |
| Dull, matt or rough, dark coloured | Good | Good |
| Shiny, light coloured | Poor | Poor |
| Surface | Dull, matt or rough, dark coloured |
|---|---|
| Absorption | Good |
| Emission | Good |
| Surface | Shiny, light coloured |
|---|---|
| Absorption | Poor |
| Emission | Poor |