Final answer:
Radiation refers to the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves without the need for a medium. It allows energy transfer from warmer to cooler objects, illustrating a fundamental heat transfer method used in various technologies like microwave ovens, and is responsible for a significant part of body heat loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
Radiation is a process by which heat energy is transferred in the form of electromagnetic waves. Unlike conduction and convection, which require a medium to transport heat, radiation can occur across a vacuum, such as the space between the Earth and the Sun. This type of heat transfer is evidenced when you can feel the warmth from the Sun on your skin or from a fire without being in direct contact. A practical example includes microwave ovens, where food is cooked by the absorption of microwave radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation.
In everyday life, around 60 percent of the heat our bodies lose is through radiation, demonstrating its significant role in how organisms interact with their environment. Objects at differing temperatures will transfer energy by radiation, with the energy flowing from the warmer object to the cooler one. This principle allows items like radiators to heat rooms and toy ovens with bright light bulbs to cook food without direct contact.