Question

The atmosphere of the earth is heated by radiation which is mainly:

• A. Radiated by the sun
• B. Re-radiated by land
• C. Re-radiated by water
• D. Re-radiated by land and water

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Radiated by the sun

The correct answer is A: Radiated by the sun

Explanation of the correct answer:

1. The atmosphere of the earth is heated by radiation which is mainly by the radiation from the sun.
2. The atmosphere is mainly heated by the long-wave terrestrial radiation. The solar radiation heats the surface of the land.
3. As a result, this heat is carried as convection currents to the higher realms of the atmosphere.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

A very small percentage of the atmospheric heat is due to re-radiation by land and water. Most of it is utilized in maintaining the local weather conditions.

The final answer is option A.