Which process is responsible for the transfer of heat and light from the Sun to the Earth?

• A. Radiation
• B. Convection
• C. Conduction
• D. Evaporation

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the three main modes of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction involves direct contact between materials, convection involves the movement of fluids (liquids or gases), and radiation involves the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves without needing a medium.
2. Recognize that the space between the Sun and the Earth is a vacuum, meaning there is no matter (solid, liquid, or gas) to facilitate conduction or convection.
3. Since conduction and convection require a medium to transfer heat, they cannot be responsible for heat transfer through the vacuum of space.
4. Radiation, on the other hand, can transfer energy through empty space by electromagnetic waves, such as visible light and infrared radiation emitted by the Sun.
5. Therefore, the process responsible for transferring heat and light from the Sun to the Earth is radiation.