What type of energy travels in waves, such as heat and visible light?

Radiant energy, also known as electromagnetic energy, is the correct answer because it encompasses energy that travels in waves. These waves include not only visible light, which is essential for sight and photosynthesis, but also other forms like ultraviolet light, infrared radiation, and radio waves.

This type of energy can propagate through a vacuum, unlike mechanical energy, which relies on the movement of particles and typically requires a medium such as air or water to travel. Additionally, radiant energy does not depend on a physical movement of particles, distinguishing it from electrical energy, which involves the flow of charged particles. Chemical energy, on the other hand, is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds and is released during reactions, but it does not travel in waves. Thus, radiant energy is characterized by its wave-like behavior in the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes the transfer of heat through electromagnetic radiation.