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The solar beam that covers the greatest surface area of the Earth is the one that strikes the planet at a low angle, such as during sunrise or sunset. This oblique angle spreads the solar energy over a larger area compared to when the sun is directly overhead, resulting in lower intensity per unit area. Consequently, the sunlight at these angles illuminates a wider surface area, though with reduced energy concentration.

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What is it called when the moon's disk completely covers the sun?

When the moon's disk completely covers the sun you have a solar eclipse.


Most solar energy that reaches earth's atmosphere is absorbed by whtat?

Most solar energy that reaches Earth's atmosphere is absorbed by the surface of the Earth, such as the land, oceans, and vegetation. This absorption heats up the Earth's surface and is then radiated back into the atmosphere as heat energy.


What percentage of the solar energy the reaches the outer atmosphere is absorbed at the earth's surface?

Roughly 70% of the solar energy that reaches the outer atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth's surface. The remaining percentage is reflected back into space by clouds, aerosols, and the Earth's surface.


Three ways solar energy is lost before reaching the earth's surface?

Solar energy is lost before reaching the Earth's surface primarily through atmospheric absorption, scattering, and reflection. Atmospheric gases and clouds absorb a portion of the incoming solar radiation, reducing its intensity. Additionally, scattering caused by particles and molecules in the atmosphere redirects some solar energy away from the Earth's surface. Finally, a percentage of solar energy is reflected back into space by clouds and the Earth's surface itself.


Of all the incident solar radiation what percentage is absorbed by the earth and the atmosphere?

Approximately 70% of the incident solar radiation is absorbed by the Earth and its atmosphere. The Earth's surface absorbs about 51% of the incoming solar energy, while the atmosphere absorbs the remaining 19%. The rest is reflected back into space, with about 30% of the total solar radiation being reflected by clouds, atmospheric particles, and the Earth's surface.

Related Questions

Why does a solar eclipse not cover much of the earth's surface but a lunar eclipse covers half of the earth's surface at any point?

During a solar eclipse, the moon's shadow only covers a small area on the Earth's surface due to the moon being much smaller than the Earth. In contrast, during a lunar eclipse, the Earth's shadow is much larger as it extends further into space and can darken the entire moon visible from Earth at that time.


What is the blanket of protective gases that covers the earths surface?

The blanket of protective gases that covers the Earth's surface is the atmosphere. It is composed of various gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others, which help regulate the planet's temperature and protect it from harmful solar radiation.


Are all parts of the earth affected by eclipses?

Solar eclipses are visible only for a small portion of the Earth's surface where the moon covers the sun. Lunar eclipses in which the Earth's shadow covers the moon are visible for long distances but it's the color of the moon effected by those not the Earth.


What is the term for solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface?

The solar radiation that reaches the earths surface from the sun is called INSOLATION


What happens to the intensity of solar radiation as latitude increases?

As latitude increases, the intensity of solar radiation decreases. This is because the angle at which sunlight hits the Earth's surface becomes more oblique, leading to greater atmospheric absorption and scattering, which reduces the amount of solar energy that reaches the surface.


What happens to most solar radiation when it reaches the surface of Earth what happens?

Most of the solar radiation is absorbed when it reaches the surface of the earth. Some of the solar radiation is also absorbed in the atmosphere.


What kind of solar energy makes its way to earth's surface?

Passive solar


What is it called when the moon's disk completely covers the sun?

When the moon's disk completely covers the sun you have a solar eclipse.


What does the Earth's magnetic field stop from hitting the Earth's surface?

Solar Winds


When do solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the earth. The moon covers most of the sun as viewed from earth. Solar eclipse can only appear when the there is a new moon.


What is blocked from your sight on earth in a solar eclipse?

the moon covers the sun so from earth you cant see the sun.


Why is one likely to see a larger number of lunar eclipses from a given place on the earth than the solar eclipses?

The earth is larger. It is much easier to block light to the moon than it is to block light to the surface of the earth by a smaller object. Imagine a baseball(Moon) and a basketball(Earth) and there is one light in the room. You put the basketball in between the baseball and the light, it completely covers the moon in darkness. Now pass the baseball in between the basketball and the light, shadow only covers a small area of its surface. This is why its more rare to witness a Solar Eclipse where the moon blocks a small portion of earth's surface, than a lunar eclipse where the Earth blocks all of the sunlight from the moon.