How Does Heat Transfer Work: Conduction vs. Radiation?

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Heat is defined as the transfer of energy between objects due to a temperature difference and is categorized into conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction involves the physical collisions of molecules transferring energy directly between objects. In contrast, radiation occurs through electromagnetic waves, allowing heat transfer without direct contact. Understanding these mechanisms clarifies how heat can be transferred in different ways. The explanation provided resolves confusion regarding the nature of heat transfer.
JezerTheAnonymous
I always figured heat is the property of being 'jiggly' at a molecular level, and conduction is when a very 'jiggly' object comes in contact with another object and transfers that 'jigglyness' to the latter.
But how does radiating heat work? That doesn't make sense to me. Is heat a wave? That would explain how I can burn a piece of paper with a magnifying lens, but then conduction does not make sense to me.
 
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Heat is the transfer of energy from one object to another due to a difference in temperature between the two. It is usually divided in three categories: conduction, convection, and radiation.

What you described is conduction, where it is indeed the physical collisions between the molecules of the objects that is responsible for the transfer of heat. In the case of radiation, it is an electromagnetic wave that is the intermediary between the two, instead of collisions.
 
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DrClaude said:
Heat is the transfer of energy from one object to another due to a difference in temperature between the two. It is usually divided in three categories: conduction, convection, and radiation.

What you described is conduction, where it is indeed the physical collisions between the molecules of the objects that is responsible for the transfer of heat. In the case of radiation, it is an electromagnetic wave that is the intermediary between the two, instead of collisions.

Thanks, I think I get it now.
 
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