Heat moves in the atmosphere the same way it moves through the solid Earth. What follows is a review of the way heat flows and is transferred, but applied to the atmosphere. The mechanisms of heat transfer are radiation, conduction, and convection.

Radiation is the transfer of energy between two objects by electromagnetic waves. Heat radiates from the ground into the lower atmosphere.

In conduction, heat moves from areas of more heat to areas of less heat by direct contact. Warmer molecules vibrate rapidly and collide with other nearby molecules, transferring their energy. In the atmosphere, conduction is more effective at lower altitudes where air density is higher; it transfers heat upward to where the molecules are spread further apart, or transfers heat laterally from a warmer to a cooler spot, where the molecules are moving less vigorously.

Heat transfer by movement of heated materials is called convection. The heat that radiates from the ground initiates convection cells in the atmosphere.

Pictured below is a diagram showing the mechanisms of heat transfer. The heat source is the flame, which is emitting radiation. The heat is transferred within the handle of the pot through conduction. The heat is transferred within the fluid in the pot through convection.

Radiation- Transfer of energy between two objects by electromagnetic waves Convection- Heat transfer by movement of heated materials Conduction- Heat moves from areas of more heat to areas of less heat by direct contact