What energy transport process leads to the formation of clouds in the troposphere?

The process that leads to the formation of clouds in the troposphere is convection. In the troposphere, warm air rises due to its lower density compared to the cooler air surrounding it. As this warm air ascends, it expands and cools, leading to a decrease in temperature. When the temperature drops to the dew point, the water vapor in the rising air condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds.

Convection is essential in this process as it enables the movement of heat from the Earth's surface into the atmosphere. The warm air carries moisture, and as it rises, it creates updrafts that facilitate the continuous supply of moisture needed for cloud formation. This is distinct from radiation, which involves the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, and conduction, which is the transfer of heat through direct contact. While evaporation is part of the water cycle and contributes to the overall moisture content in the atmosphere, it is the convective process that directly leads to cloud formation by transporting the rising humid air.