Which investigation would best show the transfer of heat energy without any type of matter as a medium

Answer 1

An investigation that could best show the transfer of heat energy without any type of matter as a medium is the investigation of radiation. Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves, such as infrared radiation.

One possible experiment to demonstrate radiation as a heat transfer mechanism without the need for matter as a medium could be:

1. Set up three identical objects, such as metal blocks, in a vacuum chamber.
2. Place one object near a heat source, such as a hot plate, so that it receives direct heat transfer through conduction.
3. Keep the second object at a distance from the heat source, but expose it to the heat source's radiation.
4. Keep the third object as a control, isolated from both the heat source and the object receiving radiation.
5. Measure the temperature changes in all three objects over a set period of time using thermometers or temperature sensors.
6. Compare and analyze the temperature changes in each object.

Through this investigation, you would observe that the object receiving direct heat transfer through conduction shows the highest temperature increase, while the object receiving heat through radiation also shows a noticeable temperature increase, despite being physically distant from the heat source. The control object, which is not exposed to any form of heat transfer, should show minimal to no temperature change. This would highlight the transfer of heat energy through radiation.