Radiation occurs when light energy from the Sun travels through space to Earth. This light travels without touching any matter. When the light energy reaches Earth’s atmosphere, it begins to heat up the air, land, and water.
Conduction occurs when the captured heat in the land and water is released back into the air. This is conduction because the particles in the air are touching the Earth.
As the warmed air rises, cooler air moves in to take its place. This is called convection, the energy transfer through the movement of matter. Circular convection currents are responsible for moving air around the planet.