On a clear, calm night, the ground and air above cool mainly by which process?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

On clear, calm nights, the ground and the air above cool primarily through radiation. This process involves the emission of infrared radiation from the surface of the Earth into space, leading to cooling. Unlike convection or conduction, which require a medium (like air or a physical object) to transfer heat, radiation can occur through a vacuum, making it the dominant cooling process under these conditions.

On a Clear, Calm Night, the Ground and Air Above