The discussion revolves around the classification of heat transfer mechanisms, specifically focusing on whether conductive heat transfer can be considered a form of radiation transfer at contact distances. Participants explore the distinctions between conduction, convection, and radiation, and the implications of these classifications in terms of underlying physics.
Participants express differing views on whether conductive heat transfer can be classified as radiation. While some agree on the necessity of distinguishing between the types of heat transfer for practical reasons, others maintain that the mechanisms are fundamentally different. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.
Participants acknowledge that the classification of heat transfer mechanisms may depend on specific definitions and contexts, and there are unresolved nuances regarding the nature of electromagnetic interactions and their relation to radiation.
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.