What is the term for heat transfer through electromagnetic waves?

The term for heat transfer through electromagnetic waves is radiation. This process does not require a medium (such as air, water, or solid materials) to transfer heat, allowing energy to move through the vacuum of space. This is why we are able to feel the warmth of the Sun on Earth—it travels through the vacuum of space as electromagnetic waves, primarily in the visible and infrared spectrum.

In contrast, conduction involves direct contact between materials, where heat is transferred through molecular interactions. Convection refers to heat transfer that occurs in fluids (liquids and gases) due to the movement of the fluid itself, often resulting in current patterns because warmer, less dense regions rise while cooler, denser regions sink. Convection current describes the movement pattern created by this process. Thus, radiation is specifically the correct term for the transfer of heat via electromagnetic waves.