Energy Transfer in the Troposphere
Energy is transferred within the troposphere by radiation, conduction, and convection. Radiation from the sun heats Earth's surface, which then radiates heat skyward. The air in direct contact with Earth's surface is heated by conduction. Warm air near the surface expands and rises and cooler, denser air sinks, forming convection currents that move heat through the troposphere.
Interpreting Diagrams Where does most of the energy in the troposphere originally come from?
Greenhouse effect
When Earth's surface is heated, much of this energy is radiated back as infrared radiation. Some of this radiation is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. The process by which gases hold heat in the air is called the greenhouse effect.