Earth absorbs about 71 percent of heat energy from thew sun.What also happens to this heat energy?

Question

1.It is reflected back to the sun
2.It is refracted back to the sun
3.It is converted to electricity
4.It is converted to light

Answer 1

The correct statement about what happens to the heat energy absorbed by Earth from the sun is:

1. It is reflected back to the sun (in part).

When the Earth absorbs solar energy, not all of it is retained; some of it is reflected back into space, primarily by clouds and the Earth's surface, which results in around 30% of incoming solar radiation being reflected. This means that while the Earth absorbs about 71% of the solar energy, a portion of that energy is indeed reflected back, but not directly to the sun in a manner that sends the energy back.

The other options listed (refraction, conversion to electricity, and conversion to light) do not accurately describe the primary processes that occur with solar energy on Earth.

So, the closest correct answer from your options, considering the general behavior of solar energy, is 1. However, remember that while a portion is reflected, the main dealing of energy involves the Earth's processes, heating, and influencing climate rather than simply being sent back to the sun.