Final answer:
The Earth gets its heat from the sun through radiation, a method of heat transfer that requires no medium, thereby making it possible for energy to travel through the vacuum of space. The heat we receive is in the form of electromagnetic radiation, which includes various types of waves, such as infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'Radiation is the only type of energy that can travel through space' is true. The Earth gets its heat from the sun. This is because radiation is the method of heat transfer that does not require a medium, such as air, to transport energy. In the vacuum of space, convection and conduction cannot occur, so the sun warms the Earth by emitting electromagnetic radiation, which includes ultraviolet rays, visible light, and infrared radiation. This energy is absorbed by the Earth and re-radiated back into space, mainly in the form of heat.
The sun generates this energy through nuclear fusion, which is then radiated across space to reach our planet. Upon reaching Earth, the electromagnetic waves are absorbed, providing the energy that we experience as warmth and light. The Earth reflects some of this energy back into outer space, maintaining the balance that allows our planet to have a climate that supports life.