Why do convection currents occur in the atmosphere?

Earth is not heated in a uniform manner, there are hit and cold spots, e.g you have a desert inland the Sun heats it, hot air rises. Since there can't be a vacuum, colder air from the surroundings must fill the gap, then you get convection. read more

Earth is not heated in a uniform manner, there are hit and cold spots, e.g you have a desert inland the Sun heats it, hot air rises. Since there can't be a vacuum, colder air from the surroundings must fill the gap, then you get convection. read more

In the atmosphere, convection currents occur due to the heating of the Earth's surface by radiant energy from the sun. As the air near the ground warms, it becomes less dense and rises. Colder, dense air falls to the surface where the earth heats it, creating a cycle. read more

Generally convection is limited to the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere and contains 80% of the atmosphere by mass. Gravitational systems order by density with the lowest layers being the most dense. read more