What is radiation best defined as?

Radiation is best defined as the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves. This process does not require a medium, meaning it can occur in a vacuum. For example, the heat from the sun reaches Earth through the vacuum of space via radiation. Electromagnetic waves, which include visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet, are key to this form of energy transfer. Understanding this concept is essential in grasping how energy moves in various contexts, such as in climate science and other scientific principles. It highlights the unique nature of radiation compared to other energy transfer methods, which often depend on direct contact or the movement of fluids.