Final answer:
Convection is the process by which warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating winds as a form of thermal energy transfer. This movement is a critical component in the Earth's weather systems and climate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movement of air causing winds is due to the process of convection, where hot air rises and cool air sinks. This process is a form of energy transfer known as thermal energy. The correct answer to the question about the form of energy associated with hot air rising and cool air sinking, creating winds, is Option 3: Thermal. In the context of wind and atmospheric movements, thermal energy is carried by the large-scale flow of matter, transferring heat through the movement of mass.
When hot air rises over the Earth's surface, it gains both kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. This phenomenon is similar to what happens in heat engines, where heat drives motion. Convection transfers thermal energy efficiently, often much faster than conduction, and is a critical part of weather patterns and global climate.