Radiant energy is energy from electromagnetic waves, measured in joules. It can be viewed as energy stored in photons or carried in oscillating magnetic and electric fields. It is used in open systems, photosynthesis, solar energy, radiant heating, and medical treatments. Nikola Tesla was a pioneer in studying radiant energy, and it is an abundant resource on Earth.
The energy that comes from electromagnetic waves is called radiant energy. Electromagnetic waves take many forms, from microwaves to X-rays to visible light. Radiant energy is, like most forms of energy, measured in joules and is calculated by integrating the radiant flux (power) of the electromagnetic wave over time.
There are two different views on how electromagnetic waves carry energy, and both are considered accurate due to quantum theory’s concept of wave-particle duality. The wave-particle duality states that electromagnetic waves act both as physical particles, photons, and as oscillating waves. Radiant energy can be viewed as the energy stored in photons. It can also be seen as the energy carried in the oscillating magnetic and electric field produced by the undulating motion of the electromagnetic wave.
Radiant energy is important for experiments and open systems activities. In most sciences, an open system is any system that openly exchanges energy with the external environment. Solar energy involves an open system, as the sun’s electromagnetic rays are part of the environment while solar energy collectors and the devices they power are part of the system. This energy is also used in photosynthesis as the waves are absorbed by the chloroplasts in the cells.
People have come up with many uses for radiant energy, which exists in great abundance. The sun’s energy is used to power a wide variety of devices. Radiant heating is another common use of this type of energy. Thermal energy is released from walls, ceilings or other surfaces and is used to directly heat objects in the area of the waves instead of simply heating the surrounding air, as a fire would. This energy can also be used in the medical field in the treatment of some muscle problems.
Nikola Tesla was a pioneer in the study of radiant energy. While some of his theories and ideas turned out to be absurd, others paved the way for many technologies that are now widely used. He invented one of the first wireless phones based on this form of energy. The telephone used transmitters and receivers that could be set to the same frequencies to facilitate communication.
Radiant energy is a very abundant resource on Earth. All electromagnetic waves contain such energy. It is easily and commonly generated artificially and exists in huge quantities in the natural environment. As scientists learn how to better harness the power of electromagnetic waves, the uses of their energy are sure to increase in effectiveness and number.
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