Radiant heat is a type of heat transfer that occurs through electromagnetic waves. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈreɪdiənt hiːt/. The first syllable, "ray," is pronounced with a long A sound. The second syllable, "di," is pronounced with a short i sound. The third syllable, "ant," is pronounced with a schwa sound. The final syllable, "heat," is pronounced with a long E sound. The spelling of "radiant heat" accurately represents its pronunciation, making it easy to understand and articulate in conversation.
Radiant heat refers to the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, without the need for direct contact or intermediary substances. It is a form of heat transfer that occurs in the form of infrared radiation, which is a segment of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radiant heat can be radiated, transmitted, and absorbed by various objects in an environment.
When an object is heated, it emits radiation in the form of electromagnetic waves from its surface. These waves travel in straight lines and can be absorbed by other objects that they encounter. The heat energy carried by these waves is then converted into molecular motion upon absorption, causing the receiving object to increase in temperature.
Unlike conductive or convective heat transfer, radiant heat does not require any physical medium, such as air or liquid, to transfer heat. It can pass through a vacuum, making it an effective method for heating or cooling spaces without the need for a medium to distribute the heat. This makes radiant heat particularly efficient for heating applications, such as underfloor heating, where warmth is evenly emitted radiatively from a heated surface to surrounding objects in a room.
Radiant heat is commonly utilized in various applications, including heating systems for buildings, space heaters, infrared saunas, cooking appliances, and heating elements in industrial processes. It is known for its ability to provide consistent, even, and comfortable heat distribution, often associated with a gentle warmth that is less prone to creating drafts or temperature differences in a space.
The h. which is given off from any body and passes through the air in the form of waves, similar to the light waves, but of greater wave length.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "radiant" is derived from the Latin word "radiare", which means "to emit rays or shine". The word "heat" originates from the Old English word "hǣtu", which is related to the Old High German word "heizi" and the Gothic word "haiti". Both "hǣtu" and "heizi" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root word "kayd", meaning "to burn". Therefore, the etymology of "radiant heat" refers to the heat that is emitted or radiated in a process of burning or shining.