MTTC Secondary Integrated Science Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct answer highlights radiation as the method of heat transfer that involves electromagnetic waves. This process occurs when energy is emitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared radiation, which then travels through space and can be absorbed by objects, warming them in the process. Unlike conduction and convection, which require matter to transfer heat, radiation can take place in a vacuum. This is why the Sun can warm the Earth despite the vast emptiness of space in between.

In contrast, conduction involves the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, where energy is transferred from molecule to molecule. Convection refers to the movement of heat through fluids (liquids or gases) caused by the uneven distribution of heat, which results in fluid movements that carry heat with them. Insulation, while related to the prevention of heat transfer, is not a method of heat transfer itself but rather a means to minimize conduction, convection, or radiation.