1. Natural Sciences Grade 7
Term 3: Energy and Change
Heat transfer

2. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Topic 3 Heat transfer
Radiation
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

3. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Radiation [part 1]
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

4. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Radiation [part 2]
Radiation – is the transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic waves.
These are special waves that can carry heat and light energy.
The sun’s heat energy travels across empty space to the Earth, mainly through radiation.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

5. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Radiation [part 3]
Radiation – The way conduction and convection transfer heat energy, differs tremendously from the way radiation transfers heat energy.
Conduction and convection transfer heat energy through matter, which can either be a gas/solid/ liquid. Radiation transfers heat energy by waves, not by matter.
Radiation does not require movement of particles or physical contact. This means heat energy can be transferred in a vacuum [space without matter/gas].
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

6. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Radiation [part 3]
The sun’s heat energy mainly travels across the empty space to the Earth through radiation.
Every electromagnetic source [e.g. the Sun; fire; microwave oven] radiates waves and it heats up when it comes into contact with another object.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

7. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Radiation examples
Braai: the meat on the braai grid gets cooked through the transferred heat from the red coals through radiation.
Food is warmed in a microwave oven through radiation.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

8. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Radiation examples
Warming hands above a heater/fire is also possible through radiation.
4. The sun warms us without touching us through radiation.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

9. Absorption and reflection of radiated heat
Radiation waves are not absorbed by every substance.
Certain substances become hot very quickly because radiation waves are easily absorbed.
Radiation waves are also reflected by other substances:
- the waves bounce off the substance;
- these specific substances do not heat up
quickly.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

10. Absorption and reflection of radiated heat
4. Objects that are black, absorb radiation waves very well and they heat up quickly.
5. Radiation waves are reflected from silver and white objects. The sun warms us without touching us through radiation.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7