The amount of radiation absorbed by the Earth's surface varies depending on factors such as location, time of day, and cloud cover. On average, about half of the solar radiation that reaches the Earth's atmosphere is absorbed by the surface, where it is then transformed into heat energy.
The amount of solar energy absorbed at the Earth's surface is most influenced by factors such as the angle and intensity of sunlight, the presence of clouds, air pollution, and surface properties like albedo (reflectivity) and vegetation cover. These factors determine how much sunlight reaches and is absorbed by the surface.
Some is absorbed by the atmosphereSome is absorbed by clouds and particles in the atmosphereThe rest reaches and warms the surface of the earth.This warmth rises from the surface as infrared energy. Much of it is captured by the ever-increasing levels of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane). This increasing warmth is happening globally, global warming.
There are many factors associated with the absorption of solar energy based primarily on the wavelength or nature of the solar energy under consideration. For example, neutrinos are mostly not absorbed at all. "Albedo" is used to express how much incident radiation from the Sun is reflected or absorbed, and the albedo changes for different wavelengths of light (electromagnetic radiation); it is a specific term of "reflectivity." In turn, albedo is determined by the cloud cover, terrestrial terrain, composition of the atmosphere etc. Longwave (red-shift) radiation absorption may be very different than UV (shortwave), and some wavelenghts may "bounce" completely, and very little of the incident radiation may be absorbed on the Earth's surface.
Yes, gamma rays from outer space can reach the surface of the Earth. However, much of the high-energy gamma radiation is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer, before reaching the surface.
The amount of energy absorbed or reflected by Earth's surface depends on characteristics like surface color, texture, albedo (reflectivity), cloud cover, atmospheric composition, latitude, season, and time of day. These factors influence how much sunlight is absorbed or reflected by the surface, affecting the overall energy balance of the Earth.
The amount of energy absorbed or reflected by Earth's surface is influenced by factors such as surface albedo, surface characteristics (e.g. vegetation, water bodies), and atmospheric conditions (e.g. clouds, aerosols). Different surfaces have different albedos, which determine how much solar radiation is absorbed versus reflected. Additionally, atmospheric components can impact the amount of energy reaching and interacting with the surface.
Some is absorbed by molecules in the atmosphere (such as ultraviolet absorption by ozone), some is absorbed on the surface, and some is reflected by clouds or the surface back into space. The surface will re-radiate much of the absorbed solar radiation as infrared (thermal) radiation, and some of this is then absorbed by atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Most ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. This layer of ozone helps to protect life on Earth by absorbing and filtering out much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun before it reaches the surface.
About 6% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space from the atmosphere and 4% by the surface of the earth.Incoming solar radiation: 100%Reflected by the atmosphere: 6% : Absorbed by the atmosphere: 16%Continuing incoming solar radiation: 78%Reflected by clouds: 20% : Absorbed by clouds: 3%Continuing incoming solar radiation: 55%Reflected by the earth's surface: 4% : Absorbed by the earth's surface (lands and oceans): 51%
The amount of solar energy absorbed at the Earth's surface is most influenced by factors such as the angle and intensity of sunlight, the presence of clouds, air pollution, and surface properties like albedo (reflectivity) and vegetation cover. These factors determine how much sunlight reaches and is absorbed by the surface.
Some is absorbed by the atmosphereSome is absorbed by clouds and particles in the atmosphereThe rest reaches and warms the surface of the earth.This warmth rises from the surface as infrared energy. Much of it is captured by the ever-increasing levels of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane). This increasing warmth is happening globally, global warming.
70% or 80% of water covers the earths surface
About 19% of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by clouds and the atmosphere.Incoming solar radiation: 100%Reflected by the atmosphere: 6% : Absorbed by the atmosphere: 16%Continuing incoming solar radiation: 78%Reflected by clouds: 20% : Absorbed by clouds: 3%Continuing incoming solar radiation: 55%Reflected by the earth's surface: 4% : Absorbed by the earth's surface (lands and oceans): 51%Source: (NASA)
There are many factors associated with the absorption of solar energy based primarily on the wavelength or nature of the solar energy under consideration. For example, neutrinos are mostly not absorbed at all. "Albedo" is used to express how much incident radiation from the Sun is reflected or absorbed, and the albedo changes for different wavelengths of light (electromagnetic radiation); it is a specific term of "reflectivity." In turn, albedo is determined by the cloud cover, terrestrial terrain, composition of the atmosphere etc. Longwave (red-shift) radiation absorption may be very different than UV (shortwave), and some wavelenghts may "bounce" completely, and very little of the incident radiation may be absorbed on the Earth's surface.
about 20%
about 30%
Most of it is absorbed. UV is the harmful radiation of the sun.