Final answer:
Convection currents in the atmosphere are driven by the flow of hot air from the tropics to the poles and the flow of cold air from the poles toward the tropics. These currents are caused by buoyant forces and are influenced by the rotation of the Earth. Ocean currents and atmospheric circulation also transfer energy through natural convection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Convection currents in the atmosphere are mainly caused by the flow of hot air from the tropics to the poles and the flow of cold air from the poles toward the tropics. This large-scale flow of matter is driven by buoyant forces, as the density of air decreases as it gets hotter. The rotation of the Earth also influences the observed easterly flow of air in the northern hemisphere. Ocean currents and atmospheric circulation transfer energy from one part of the globe to another, which are examples of natural convection.