Question

How does conduction heat the atmosphere

Answer 1

Heat from the Earth's core and radiation from the Sun is transferred to the surface of the Earth by conduction. Contact of the atmosphere with these warm surfaces transfers thermal energy, which then heats up the rest of the air through convection.

The atmosphere is also slightly heated by absorption of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. The warm land and water radiates infrared, some of which is absorbed by the atmosphere, adding to its thermal energy. The remaining heat on the surface is sent out into space in the form of infrared radiation.