Heat in a Vacuum: Does it Need a Medium?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of heat transfer in a vacuum, specifically whether heat requires a medium to propagate or if it can occur in the absence of particles. Participants explore the implications of heating a conductive container in a vacuum and the role of electromagnetic radiation in this process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that heat transfer requires a medium, such as air particles, to facilitate energy transfer through vibration.
  • Others argue that in a vacuum, heat can still be transferred through electromagnetic radiation, which does not require a medium.
  • A participant suggests that while electromagnetic radiation can propagate through a vacuum, it raises the question of whether the vacuum itself can be heated if there are no particles to absorb the energy.
  • Another participant questions how one would determine if a vacuum heats up, given that a vacuum is defined as the absence of matter.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the concept of heating a vacuum and whether energy can be transmitted without a medium.
  • A later reply introduces the idea of virtual particles and their interaction with electromagnetic radiation, adding complexity to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether a vacuum can be heated or if heat requires a medium. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of heat transfer in a vacuum.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the mechanisms of heat transfer in a vacuum, including assumptions about the nature of energy transmission and the definition of a vacuum.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts in thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and the nature of vacuums in physics.

pzona
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Suppose you have an absolute vacuum, with zero particles, and its container is made of a conductive material, like a metal or something, which is heated. What happens inside the vacuum?

Does heat need the medium of air, or will it heat the vacuum? I reason that heat needs a medium (like air particles) to permeate because the particles vibrate, transferring the energy that is registered as heat, but this doesn't seem right. I know that space isn't a perfect vacuum, but it's close enough, and heat from the sun reaches the earth. I guess what I'm ultimately wondering is, does heat (or any form of energy) need a medium to travel through, other than space?
 
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pzona said:
Suppose you have an absolute vacuum, with zero particles, and its container is made of a conductive material, like a metal or something, which is heated. What happens inside the vacuum?

Does heat need the medium of air, or will it heat the vacuum?
The vacuum will not heat up. The container will radiate heat, sending EM radiation (photons) from its inside surface through the cavity to the other inside surface.


pzona said:
I reason that heat needs a medium (like air particles) to permeate because the particles vibrate, transferring the energy that is registered as heat, but this doesn't seem right. I know that space isn't a perfect vacuum, but it's close enough, and heat from the sun reaches the earth. I guess what I'm ultimately wondering is, does heat (or any form of energy) need a medium to travel through, other than space?
There are many things that transfer heat. It can be passed kinetically, via particles (conduction) and it can be passed through vacuum (radiated), via photons.
 
Hi,
I don't my concept is clear or not.
please clear this doubt.
Em radiation doesn't required medium to propagate but it carries energy(e.g-light).
as the energy is transmitted so the vacuum may be heated.
 
amaresh92 said:
as the energy is transmitted so the vacuum may be heated.
The energy is transmitted to what?Generally there's air which vibrates
However,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_energy"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
how would we know if the vacuum heats up or not?
doesn't vacuum mean there is nothing there. If there is nothing there, what would heat up?
 
Caesar_Rahil said:
how would we know if the vacuum heats up or not?
doesn't vacuum mean there is nothing there. If there is nothing there, what would heat up?

I think Dave explained what would happen
 
amaresh92 said:
Hi,
I don't my concept is clear or not.
please clear this doubt.
Em radiation doesn't required medium to propagate but it carries energy(e.g-light).
as the energy is transmitted so the vacuum may be heated.
EM radiation passes through the vacuum. If there is nothing in the vacuum for the EM radiation to affect, then it will not be heated.
 
The OP, in respectful rebutal might ask...(OK, my words, sorry)

Are virtual particles affected by non-virtual EM radiation?
 

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