Question

Which of the following statement is correct regarding Sun's radiation on Earth?

• A. Some of the radiation is reflected while most of it is absorbed.
• B. Most of the radiation is reflected while some of it gets absorbed.
• C. Fifty percent of the radiation is reflected while fifty percent of it gets absorbed.
• D. All the radiations received on Earth get absorbed.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Most of the radiation is reflected while some of it gets absorbed.

The radiations from Sun is more popularly known as sunlight. When sunlight enters the top of the atmosphere some of it is reflected back to space by clouds and atmospheric particles. This energy plays no role in Earth’s climate system. Sunlight which enters the Earth's atmosphere is absorbed by sea and Earth's surface during the day but at night, Earth cools itself and radiate the heat back to the atmosphere. So, most of the radiation which was absorbed during the day is reflected back to the atmosphere.