By: Mike Luciuk
The three main methods of heat transfer resulting in change of temperature are conduction, convection and radiation. In conduction, energy is transferred by physical contact, like when one burns a finger while touching a hot pot. In convection, energy transfer occurs by fluid motion like water boiling in a kettle. In radiation, energy is transferred by the absorption or emission of electromagnetic radiation like the warmth from the Sun. This paper will illustrate some examples of how radiation determines temperature of objects in space and on Earth.