This discussion clarifies the distinctions between the three primary types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conductive heat transfer occurs through direct contact between materials, relying on electromagnetic interactions without the emission or absorption of radiation. Convection is described as a combination of conduction and gravitational effects. The conversation emphasizes the importance of using specific terminology and equations for each type of heat transfer to avoid confusion.
PREREQUISITESStudents and professionals in physics, engineering, and thermodynamics who seek a deeper understanding of heat transfer mechanisms and their applications.
No! Conductive heat transfer is through direct contact because of, e.g., coupling (for example, in a solid where local vibrations propagate to neighboring lattice sites) or free electrons in metals. No radiation is ever emitted or absorbed.seb7 said:So, is conductive heat actually being transferred by radiation?
Fair enough. The irony was lost on me.BvU said:The governing force in collisions between molecules is electromagnetic, hence my slightly ironic first reply.
I would say no. The reason that we split heat into conduction, radiation, and convection is that different equations are used. You could say it is all radiation but then you would have to distinguish between contact radiation and distant radiation in order to use the right equationsseb7 said:So, is conductive heat actually being transferred by radiation?
That's a good observation and effectively sorts out the problem.Dale said:The reason that we split heat into conduction, radiation, and convection is that different equations are used.
Electromagnetic interaction is not equivalent to "radiation". The atoms in a solid transfer thermal energy without emitting any electromagnetic radiation.BvU said:The governing force in collisions between molecules is electromagnetic, hence my slightly ironic first reply.