Solar
Sun rays penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and beam down onto the surface. The earth is gradually heated during the day. However, at night, the earth relies on the atmosphere to keep some of the radiation in the air. Thus preventing the earth from freezing. The sun rays are reflected by ice and clouds. The remainder is absorbed by the earth. If the amount of solar energy is greater than the amount radiated, then the earth heats up.
Nitrogen and oxygen are not greenhouse gases and make up 99% of the earth’s atmosphere. Water, carbon dioxide, and methane make up 1% of the earth’s atmosphere, but are greenhouse gases. Persistent human activities like driving cars, farming, burning coal and cutting down forests produce greenhouse gases as well. These gases then gather in the atmosphere and trap the sun's heat, affecting the earth’s ability to radiate the energy back into space.
As shown in the diagram below, 29% is reflected, 48% is absorbed at the surface and 23% is absorbed in the atmosphere. Therefore clouds polar ice caps play an important part in the reduction of solar radiation. Read more here:
Nitrogen and oxygen are not greenhouse gases and make up 99% of the earth’s atmosphere. Water, carbon dioxide, and methane make up 1% of the earth’s atmosphere, but are greenhouse gases. Persistent human activities like driving cars, farming, burning coal and cutting down forests produce greenhouse gases as well. These gases then gather in the atmosphere and trap the sun's heat, affecting the earth’s ability to radiate the energy back into space.
As shown in the diagram below, 29% is reflected, 48% is absorbed at the surface and 23% is absorbed in the atmosphere. Therefore clouds polar ice caps play an important part in the reduction of solar radiation. Read more here: