Of the 100% of incoming solar radiation at the outer extent of our atmosphere, approximately how much actually reaches Earth’s surface?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To evaluate how much of the incoming solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere actually reaches Earth's surface, we need to consider the layers it passes through and the processes involved.
Option 1: 'About 50%'. This is the commonly cited figure: roughly half of the solar energy that enters Earth's system makes it to the surface after accounting for reflection and scattering by clouds, atmospheric gases, and aerosols, as well as absorption by atmospheric constituents. The rest is reflected back to space or absorbed before reaching the surface.
Option 2: 'The same 100%'. This would imply that none of the solar radiation is lost in the atmosphere, which is false. A substantial portion is reflected or absorbed by atmospheric components and clouds, so it cannot be 100% reaching the surface.
Option 3: 'Slightly less than 25%'. This underestimates the surface transmission. While some conditions may reduce surface input (e.g., high cloud cover over certain regions), the commonly accepted average is closer to about half, not a quarter.
Option 4: 'Slightly more than 80%'. This overestimates the atmospheric transmission dramatically. Due to reflection by clouds and the atmosphere, and absorption by gases, only a portion around half typically reaches the surface, not the majority.
Overall, the comparison hinges on the balance between reflection (albedo) and transmission through the atmosphere; the best-supported average value for terrestrial solar input at the surface is near 50%, with substantial regional and temporal variation but not as high as 80% or as low as 25% on a global average.

GEOG121 -LEC Weather and Climate (XL) EXAM I

Of the 100% of incoming solar radiation at the outer extent of our atmosphere, approximately how much actually reaches Earth’s surface?

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