Objects are primarily heated by which type of energy?

Objects are primarily heated by radiant energy, which is energy that travels in the form of electromagnetic waves. This form of energy doesn't require a medium to travel through, meaning it can transfer heat through a vacuum or empty space. For example, the sun's rays transfer heat to the Earth via radiant energy, warming the planet even though space is mostly a vacuum.

Radiant energy can be absorbed by objects, increasing their thermal energy and, consequently, their temperature. This is a fundamental principle seen in how heat from sunlight warms various surfaces, such as pavement or skin, during sunny days.

Conductive energy involves heat transfer through direct contact between materials, while convection energy refers to the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases). Mechanical energy, on the other hand, relates more to the energy of motion and does not primarily focus on heating as a mechanism. While all these forms of energy can contribute to heating in certain contexts, radiant energy is the most significant when it comes to the heating of objects from a distance.