Fill in the Blanks Heat Transfer - Radiation Online version What are the characteristics of heat transfer through radiation? by Aaron Stinson 1 sun thermal liquids Radiation vacuum Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy from on material to another by electromagnetic waves . All objects , even ice cubes , radiate energy . The only way for thermal energy to travel to from the to Earth is through radiation ; that is because radiation is the only way for thermal energy to travel through the of empty space . occurs in solids , , and gases .