When I feel heat on my hand, what exactly is it I am feeling? Is there is a “large” amount of certain particle hitting my hand at the same time so it causes a burn? Is it a wave? Is heat just radiation? If so, why do we call it heat?
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Heat is the amount of motion that molecules of a substance have. The motion can be transferred when they touch another collection of particles causing their speeds to even out on average and the temperature to equalize. Electromagnetic radiation like light or radio waves can transfer energy as they hit a material and get absorbed. This excites the molecules in it causing them to move faster. When you feel heat coming from another object it is usually infrared or visible light radiation.
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