Other than in the form of light or any other electromagnetic waves.
2006-10-24 18:20:52 · 13 answers · asked by Product of Conception 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If it cannot exist in a vacuum then what about this example; an astronaut removes his helmet in space and freezes almost instantly. Where did his body heat go? Remeber heat can only travel or spread out but can never be lost.
2006-10-24 19:05:20 · update #1
Heat can be passed from one object to another via radiation, and does so most efficiently thru a vacuum. Even assuming the space around the astronaut is a perfect vacuum, the poor guy's head will radiate heat out to the surrounding cold of space, mainly in the form of infrared radiation. So a vacuum insulates against heat loss by conduction and convection, but NOT radiation.
2006-10-24 23:26:49 · answer #1 · answered by SAN 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heat is radiated by the sun. When it strikes a molecule the heat agitates the molecule, and raises its temperature. So, while the vacuum itself has no characteristic temperature it contains heat, so to speak, radiating from the sun. A thermometer would register 200+ degrees in sunlight in space (Fahrenheit, that is), but because there is almost nothing to heat up in a vacuum, it would register 250 or so degrees below zero in shadow. Also, I'm not certain an astronaut's head would freeze instantly...the blood and other liquids in the head would begin to boil and, of course, that would result in the death of the astronaut.
2006-10-25 02:19:00 · answer #2 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat, in the form of infrared light, can travel through a vacuum, so that vacuum could be said to have heat of the IR light that is in it ant any one instant.
The astronaut that takes off his space suit would freeze because the evaporation of all the water in his body would cool him. But after it was all evaporated, his dried out body would again be warmed by the sunlight hitting it.
2006-10-25 02:27:57 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat does not exist in a vacuum. There is no temperature in a vacuum. There is no matter in a vacuum. Space is not as vacuum. Besides all the planets and stars and nebulae, there's an average of one atom every cubic cm in space. Being cold does not mean there's and absence of heat.
2006-10-24 19:39:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat does NOT exist in a vacuum. That's why a Thermos bottle uses a vacuum cavity to insulate the stuff inside.
2006-10-24 18:37:05 · answer #5 · answered by arbiter007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat can be the end result of infrared light striking an object. That's why a space heater can make your hand warm, but not the air it's travelling through.
2006-10-24 18:59:43 · answer #6 · answered by Wally M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat is a characteristic of agitation in atoms. In a complete vacuum, there can be no heat (no atoms). When photons (light) strikes a surface, it will cause agitation in atoms (heat).
2006-10-24 21:32:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does not exist in a vacuum
unless radiated
from matter
2006-10-24 18:29:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st off space is not a vacuum
2006-10-24 19:15:40 · answer #9 · answered by foolsowl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat is not a characteristic of matter, it's a characteristic of energy, which can exist in vacuum.
2006-10-24 18:37:09 · answer #10 · answered by aint_no_stoppin_us 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋