Which heat transfer method is characterized by the movement of energy through space without a medium?

The heat transfer method characterized by the movement of energy through space without a medium is radiation. This process involves the emission of electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum, allowing heat to be transferred even in the absence of air or any other material medium.

For example, the heat from the sun reaches the Earth through the vacuum of space via radiation. It is different from conduction, which requires direct contact between materials for heat transfer, and convection, which involves the movement of fluids (gases or liquids) and relies on the physical movement of those substances to transfer heat. Absorption refers to the process of taking in energy, but it doesn't describe a method of heat transfer itself.

Understanding radiation as a fundamental method of heat transfer expands knowledge beyond typical conduction and convection scenarios, particularly in applications such as space heating, solar energy collection, and understanding thermal environments.