radiation transfer

Radiation transfer refers to the process by which energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as light or heat, moves through a medium like air, water, or earth's atmosphere. It involves three main actions: emission (energy released), absorption (energy taken in), and scattering (energy deflected in different directions). These interactions determine how much radiation reaches a surface or layer, affecting temperature and visibility. Understanding radiation transfer is essential in fields like climatology, astronomy, and engineering, as it helps explain phenomena like sunlight warming the Earth, solar energy collection, and how telescopes observe celestial objects.