What type of heat transfer occurs through electromagnetic energy, such as the sun heating the earth?

Heat transfer through electromagnetic energy is best described as radiation. This process involves the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, allowing energy to move through a vacuum without the need for a physical medium.

A prime example of radiation is the way the sun's energy reaches the earth. The sun emits energy in the form of light and heat, which travels through the vacuum of space and warms the planet upon arrival. This form of energy transfer is crucial in understanding various natural phenomena, including climate patterns and the heating of surfaces.

In contrast, conduction refers to the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, while convection involves the movement of heat through fluids (liquids and gases) caused by the fluid's movement or circulation. Induction typically relates to the transfer of energy through electromagnetic fields, not heat transfer. Thus, radiation accurately captures the mechanism of heat transfer from the sun to the earth.