2007-03-02 04:54:03 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Energy is transferred by three methods: Convection, Conduction, and Radiation. You are assuming only convection works.
2007-03-02 05:00:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not heat that travels, it's electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Heat is a form of energy. Temperature is a measure of the agitation of particles. When the EMR coming from the Sun hits the Earth (atmosphere, land, etc) the transfer of energy increases molecular and atomic agitation, which corresponds to increasing the temperature. And, as said before (and apart from the fact that Space is not an absolute vacuum - considered impossible according to Quantum Mechanics), EMR doesn't need a physical medium to propagate (unlike sound waves for instance). Which leads to the conclusion that in sci-fi movies depicting battles in Space, we shouldn't be able to hear the sound of the blasts because sound cannot travel!
2007-03-02 07:08:50 · answer #2 · answered by Butterfly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the hypothetical "Ether" hasn't been used in physics for over 50 years.
Space is not a perfect vacuum. There is a sort of constant medium of mostly Hydrogen particles. Though the concentration is EXTREMELY low.
Heat from the sun travels through electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to propogate. When the EM waves impinge on the surface of the earth, the transfer energy to the soil/buildings/sidwalks/cars/etc. That energy is then re-emitted as a lower wavelength of light which is no longer in the UV or visible range. it is emitted as Infrared light a.k.a. heat.
2007-03-02 05:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In little packets of energy called photons. Photons cause their own electromagnetic wave. They do not need a medium to be carried anywhere.
Light, heat, radio signals... all are different aspects of the same phenomenom: electromagnetic radiation. The difference is in the wavelength of the wave (or in the energy content of each individual packet of energy -- mathematically, comes out to the same thing).
So, light, heat, radio, gamma rays, even radar can all travel through space without the need of a medium.
2007-03-02 05:22:47 · answer #4 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a temperature of 3 degrees Kevin(as per science measurements) on the average in space its not totally cold; and there are plenty of suns in the Universe to heat it up.
The heat phenomena has been misintrepreted because of the wrong description of what they called electromagnetic wave . Heat is neither electric nor magnetic.
Heat is basically radiation trveling at a certain frequency. When Sun's radiation energy falls on atoms ,the atoms get excited and radiate heat.
2007-03-02 05:09:16 · answer #5 · answered by goring 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Heat from sun comes as wave of Electro magnetic radiations to earth.
Though space is Vacuum ,E-MAG WAVES CAN TRAVEL there.
To explain this an HYPOTHETICAL medium has been imagined called ETHER.
As a ripple is on water so is heat in ether.
2007-03-02 05:04:40 · answer #6 · answered by Mac 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Space is not a vacuum. Also sound waves need material to travel through, not light waves
B
2007-03-02 05:41:15 · answer #7 · answered by Bacchus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radiant heat requires no medium in which to travel. Only convected or conducted heat require a medium.
2007-03-02 04:57:37 · answer #8 · answered by David A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As stated - readiant heat requires no medium - a firefly light gives off no heat
2007-03-02 06:22:08 · answer #9 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same way light gets here ; Electromagnetic waves; they don't need a physical medium to move through .
2007-03-02 04:56:53 · answer #10 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋