Atmosphere Contents

2. Solar Energy

Only 45% of the incoming radiation reaches the surface of the Earth

About 25% of the energy received from the sun is reflected back into space by clouds and a further 25% is absorbed in the atmosphere by ozone, water vapour and carbon dioxide. Only 45% of the incoming radiation reaches the surface of the Earth, remainder (about 5%) reflected back into space from the Earth's surface. Various processes in the atmosphere take out the ultraviolet radiation below a wavelength of approximately 300 nm - just as well because that radiation is extremely harmful to life and biological tissue.

The range of radiation given out by the sun that reaches the Earth's surface.

Why happens to the other radiation?