Identify which method of thermal energy transfer would be fastest through a vacuum, which would be fastest through a gas, and which would be fastest through a solid. 142

Hello!

1) Through vacuum, the fastest method of thermal energy transfer would be radiation. This kind of thermal energy transfer consists in energy carried out from a radiant body by electromagnetic waves at the speed of light e. g. the heat from the Sun. Radiation doesn't involve contact between the two bodies by any solid or fluid.

In the vacuum, the fastest way for heat to be transferred would be through radiation because the electromagnetic waves would be faster than any other heat transfer method and because there is no contact as there is no solid or fluid between the two bodies.

2) Through a gas: The fastest method of thermal energy transfer would be convection. Convection is the heat transfer by the real movement of molecules of a fluid. A gas is a fluid, and it would experience this kind of energy transfer as the molecules move.

Earth's atmosphere experience this kind of energy transfer, as large air masses move by convection, creating wind currents.

3) Through a solid: The fastest method of thermal energy transfer would be conduction. Conduction consists in the heat transfer between two bodies by molecular agitation but there is no movement involved i. e. the bodies are not fluids.

In the case of a solid, this kind of energy transfer will depend on a constant known as Thermal Conductivity, which allows assessing the ability to transfer heat through a solid.

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