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About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space.

  • 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. see link below)

A:Scientists use the term albedo to describe the percentage of solar radiation reflected back into space by an object or surface.

A perfectly black surface has an albedo of 0 (all radiation is absorbed).

A perfectly mirror-finished surface has an albedo of 1.0 (all radiation is reflected).

Earth's average albedo is about 0.3. In other words, about 30 percent of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space (from land, sea, clouds, ice and atmosphere) and 70 percent is absorbed.

From point to point on the Earth's surface, the albedo varies; high for clouds or snow, low for cities and paved areas, intermediate for vegetation. Overall, averaging the bright areas with the cities, the Earth's albedo is about 0.3 or perhaps just a little higher; 0.34 or so.
Well, all of it is not. Some of it is absorbed by the oceans, some by dry land, and some by the ice caps.

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What happens to the solar energy that is absorbed by earth?

Most of it is reflected back into space.


What happens to the solar energy that is absorbed by Earth's surface?

Most of it is reflected back into space.


What happens to solar energy that is not absorbed by earth's surface?

Most of it is reflected back into space.


What happens to the solar energy that is not absorbed by Earth's surface?

Most of it is reflected back into space.


How is solar energy reflected by the earth?

Solar energy is reflected back into the atmosphere and space by the Earth's surface, clouds, and aerosols. This reflection is known as albedo, and surfaces with high albedo, such as snow and ice, reflect more solar energy than surfaces with low albedo, such as forests or oceans. Overall, about 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space.


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Radiant energy is reflected back into space as infrared rays. These rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are emitted by the Earth's surface after absorbing solar energy. While some of the energy is absorbed by the atmosphere and surface, a portion is radiated back into space, helping to regulate the planet's temperature.


What percentage of the suns energy is scattered or reflected back into space what causes this loss of solar energy?

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What percent of energy coming from the sun is re-radiated towards space?

Approximately 30% of the energy from the sun that reaches Earth is reflected back into space, primarily by clouds, atmospheric particles, and surfaces like ice and water. Additionally, a significant portion of the solar energy absorbed by the Earth is re-radiated as infrared radiation. Ultimately, around 70% of the incoming solar energy is absorbed, with the remaining 30% being reflected back into space. Therefore, while 30% is reflected, a portion of the absorbed energy is also emitted back into space.


What is the sun's energy reflected into?

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Is all of the solar energy reaching the earth reflected back into space?

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How does the sun's radiation is reflected back into space by the earth?

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