How does the atmosphere regulate the earths temperature?

The suns heat energy passes down towards the earth in a form of light rays. It passes through the atmosphere and hits the surface of the earth. some of the energy is absorbed by the earth but most of it is either re emitted or reflected back into the atmosphere towards space. some radiation does make it back to space. but most of it hits particles of gas in the atmosphere which will absorb all of the energy. after a short delay the particles will then re emit the energy in random directions. This means that some of the energy will be re emitted to space and some towards the earth and some will be absorbed by other gas particle and re emit the energy over and over again. which means the heat energy stays close to earth far longer then if there was no atmosphere and that is the process that keeps the earth at a warm and stable temperature.