Question

Which of the following best describes the solar radiation absorbed by and radiated from earth?
a.
Most incoming solar energy is absorbed by the atmosphere.
b.
Only a small fraction of energy radiating from Earth is from the atmosphere.
c.
The Earth’s surface is responsible for a small fraction of heat radiation to space.
d.
Earth’s surface absorbs little of the energy that strikes as solar radiation.


Please select the best answer from the choices provided

A
B
C
D

Answer 1

C

Most incoming solar energy reaches and is absorbed by the surface (not mostly by the atmosphere). However, only a small fraction of the heat radiated to space comes directly from the surface (much of the outgoing longwave radiation is emitted by the atmosphere and clouds).