They can be absorbed and reflected by objectsĪll kinds of radiant energy interact with matter: Radiant energy travels in a straight line. Waves of radiant energy can travel in a vacuum.Īll waves travel, across empty space, at an extremely high speed (300 Million m/s). Properties (characteristics) of Radiant Energy are: If the energy source is a warm object, like the sun, some of the thermal energy is transferred as a type of EMR called infrared radiation (IR) or 'heat radiation'. There are different forms of EMR, including radio waves, microwaves, visible light and X-rays. These waves can travel through space, air, glass and many other materials.
Radiant energy travels in waves (much like a tsunami). Energy that is transferred in this way is called radiant energy or electromagnetic radiation (EMR for short). This type of energy transfer is called radiation. Radiate Energy can be carried by light too!Įnergy can be transferred even though there are no particles to transfer the energy. There doesn't need to be air between the antenna and your car in order for you to pick up a signal. Examples would be the sun emitting radiation to the earth through space, or a radio antenna emitting radiation to your car's stereo. It is transported between objects via electromagnetic waves, which means that it does not require any matter between the two objects in order to transfer energy. Radiant energy is caused by electron configuration changes within the substance, whether it be liquid, solid, or gas. Anything that is not at absolute zero (0 K, i.e.