Home > Astrophysics > Radiative Transfer Equation

How can heat travel through space if it is a vacuum?

Answer 1

Heat in the form of infrared waves (Radiation) can travel in vacuum.

As a type of electromagnetic radiation, infrared waves can move through a vacuum at the speed of light.

These infrared waves originate from the Sun and when they enter the Earth's atmosphere, they excite the atoms that make up the atmosphere, resulting in heat.

Thus, the light or electromagnetic waves from the sun are what cause the heat that we experience on Earth.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email

Answer 2
Emilia Acosta
Radiation from electromagnetic waves, which transfer energy without the need for a medium, can carry heat across space.
Sign up to view the whole answer
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up with email

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

Trending questions

Not the question you need?

HIX Tutor
Solve ANY homework problem with a smart AI
98% accuracy study help
Covers math, physics, chemistry, biology, and more
Step-by-step, in-depth guides
Readily available 24/7