College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What is the method of heat transfer that does not require direct contact between objects?

1. Conduction

2. Convection

3. Radiation

4. Friction

The correct answer is: Radiation

The method of heat transfer that does not require direct contact between objects is radiation. This process involves the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as infrared radiation. Unlike conduction, which relies on direct contact for heat transfer between solid objects, and convection, which involves the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) where heat is carried by the fluid itself, radiation can occur in a vacuum. This means that heat energy can be transferred from one object to another through space without any physical contact. For example, the warmth felt from the sun on your skin is due to the radiation of heat through the vacuum of space to reach the Earth. Understanding radiation is essential in fields like massage therapy, where therapists may utilize heat lamps or similar devices for therapeutic purposes, relying on the principle that heat can be transferred without direct physical interaction.