Solar energy heats the surface of the earth including the ground rocks and even roadways as the temperatures of the surfaces increase heat energy is released back

into the atmosphere

Explanation:

As this energy is released into the atmosphere, bubbles of warm air is formed which is released and it is replaced by cooler air. This process is responsible for many of the weather patterns in our atmosphere, and is known as

convection

While convection is a form of heat transfer from one place to the other involving the movement of fluids. So in the case narrated above the fluid which serves as a medium is Air.

see earlier answer

it doesn't. it was imagined up in the middle ages.