2024 · Q8
Which one of the following heat transfer mechanism does NOT require a medium?
general-sciencephysics-mechanics
- AConduction
- BConvection
- CRadiation
- DCollision
Explanation
Radiation transfers heat as electromagnetic waves (infrared), which propagate through vacuum and require no material medium — this is how the Sun's heat reaches Earth. Conduction needs a solid medium for molecular collisions, convection needs a fluid medium for bulk motion, and 'collision' is not a recognised heat-transfer mechanism. Hence radiation is the mechanism that does NOT require a medium.