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About 45% of the sun's energy is reflected back into the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from the energy (51%) absorbed by the earth's surface (lands and oceans). Clouds and the atmosphere have already absorbed another 19% of the incomingradiation.

Conduction and rising air take 7% into the atmosphere.

Latent heat in water vapour takes 23% into the atmosphere.

Directly radiated from earth is 15% into the atmosphere.

(The remaining 6% is directly radiated out to space.)

(Source: NASA. see the link and related question below)

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Does Earth's surface absorb solar energy?

Yes, Earth's surface absorbs solar energy in the form of sunlight. This energy is essential for driving processes like photosynthesis in plants, warming the atmosphere, and creating weather patterns. About 30% of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed by the surface.


Why is methane such a potent greenhouse gas?

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas because it has a high heat-trapping ability, absorbing more energy than carbon dioxide. Additionally, methane has a shorter atmospheric lifespan compared to CO2, but it is much more efficient at trapping heat in the short term.


How does the greenhouse affect happen?

The sun shines light onto the Earth. The Earth (and different surfaces on it- plants, oceans, blacktop, etc...) absorbs most of the energy but some is reflected back out into space. Greenhouse gases trap the reflected energy and keep it in the atmosphere, raising Earth's temperature. The more these gases are created, the more the Earth's temperature rises.


Where does radiation take place in earth?

Radiation can take place in a variety of forms and locations on Earth. Natural radiation sources include cosmic radiation from space, radioactivity in rocks and soil, and radon gas underground. Man-made sources of radiation include nuclear power plants, medical imaging procedures, and certain industrial processes.


Explain why the sun's energy is not all reflected back into space?

That's because some is absorbed. This is quite common: any time light (or other electromagnetic radiation) falls on a surface, part of it is absorbed, another part is reflected back. Some materials (transparent materials, depending on the specific radiation) may also let part of the radiation go right through.

Related Questions

What percent of the Sun's energy intercepted by the Earth is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds?

This Answer is as Variable, considering all of the varying Parameters, as it is Crucial to Our Tenuous Situation. This percentage, as Critical as it is, in not predictable as the Output of Solar radiation is as unknowable as the powerful Incidence of detrimental Cosmic Rays.


What happens to heat energy as it reaches the earth?

Some solar radiation is reflected back into space and some is absorbed.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)


What is the definition of radiation use efficiency and light use efficiency?

radiation use efficiency is the percentage part of incident solar radiation spectrum being utilized by plants.


Does Earth's surface absorb solar energy?

Yes, Earth's surface absorbs solar energy in the form of sunlight. This energy is essential for driving processes like photosynthesis in plants, warming the atmosphere, and creating weather patterns. About 30% of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed by the surface.


Wikianswers why is a green house hot?

it heats up because incoming solar radiation from the sun and it warms the soil which makes humidity and helps the plants stay hydrated


What percent of solar radiation is used in photosynthesis?

The plants convert roughly 1% of the Sun's energy into chemical energy. As you move up the trophic level, roughly 10% is transferred. Also, the reason '100% of the energy' doesn't transfer is because the organism must perform cellular respiration.


What percent of the sunlight is reflected or absobred into organisms?

Approximately 1% of the sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, which is then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The rest of the sunlight is either reflected back into space or absorbed by land, water, and other surfaces. In total, about 30% of incoming solar energy is reflected back, leaving around 70% to be absorbed by the Earth's surface and atmosphere. Thus, the percentage of sunlight specifically absorbed by organisms is relatively small compared to the total solar energy received.


Why is radiation important to plants?

Plants depend on solar radiation (light) to synthesise their energy.


How do animals get solar radiation by eating plants?

The plants absorbs the solar radiation and energy.


How can plants be protected from radiation?

Plants can be protected from radiation by placing them in shielded areas such as a greenhouse or indoors with radiation-blocking materials like lead or concrete. Additionally, increasing the distance between plants and radiation sources can also help reduce exposure. Some plants have natural mechanisms to repair radiation damage, while others may benefit from antioxidants in their soil to mitigate the effects of radiation.


What are the three things that happens to the radiation the Earth receives from the sun?

It is reflected back out into space (e.g off clouds)It is captured by plants in photosynthesisIt warms the air and makes the weather systems on Earth and the ocean circulationsIt becomes trapped (over time) as fossil fuels.


What do you know about nuclear plants?

Nuclear Plants give off radiation, however when some of the nuclear plants in Japan were destroyed, some of the radiation did travel here but the radiation it sent here isn't strong enough to do any damage :)