* Radiation: Energy travels through electromagnetic waves. This is how the Sun's heat and light reach us, even though there's a vacuum of space between us.

* Convection: Heat transfer through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). This is how the Earth's atmosphere is heated, but it's not how the initial energy from the Sun arrives.

* Conduction: Heat transfer through direct contact. This happens when you touch a hot stove, but it's not the mechanism by which the Sun's energy reaches us.

In summary: The Sun's energy is radiated outwards, travels through space, and then is absorbed by the Earth. This absorbed energy then leads to processes like convection and conduction within the Earth's atmosphere and surface.