Heat transfer#

Three main heat transfer mechanisms exist: conduction, convection, radiation.

Conduction. Main heat transfer mechanism in solid media: molecules of the solid are not free to move and conduction is a diffusion process of the microscopical thermal agitation of the molecules of the solid structure.

Convection. Main heat transfer machanism in fluid media: moldeculus of the fluid are free to move; as they move, they transport “thermal energy” and xechange heat with the surrounding environment.

Radiation. It’s the only heat transfer mechanism that needs no matter to occur, as it can occur in “vacuum”1


1

Vacuum of matter, mass, but not physical properties, as the dielectric constant and magnetic permeability of free space/”vacuum”.