1) The document discusses basic principles of thermal radiation, including that it is emitted by matter due to oscillations of electrons sustained by thermal energy. Radiation can be emitted or absorbed by matter, resulting in heat transfer.
2) Radiation behaves both as particles (photons) and waves, and is characterized by wavelength and frequency. Thermal radiation is confined to the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
3) A blackbody is an idealized perfect emitter and absorber of radiation. It has a characteristic spectral distribution of radiation that depends only on its temperature, as described by Planck's law and the Stefan-Boltzmann law.