What heats earths atmosphere?

Answer 1

The sun heats the atmosphere. Solar radiation largely passes through the atmosphere and warms the surface of the earth. The earth then radiates heat up into the lower levels of the atmosphere where greenhouse gases warm. The warmed greenhouse gases then continue to radiate heat in all directions warming the atmosphere and again the earth's surface.

Answer 2

The Earth's atmosphere is primarily heated by the Sun. Solar radiation warms the Earth's surface, which in turn radiates heat back into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, trap some of this heat, leading to the Earth's overall warming.

Answer 3

Solar radiation that the earths surface receives is what heats the earths atmosphere. The surface absorbs the radiation and is then emitted as long-waves of radiation to the atmosphere.