Question

by clouds or particles in the air. the rest continues to earths surface, where it is either reflected by bright surfaces, such as snow and ice, or absorbed. this diagram shows what percentage of incoming solar radiation travels through each of these pathways.
based on the diagram, which of the following describe the possible paths of incoming solar radiation once it has reached earths atmosphere? select all of the true statements.
more than half of incoming solar radiation reaches earths surface.
more than five times as much incoming solar radiation is reflected by the atmosphere and clouds as by earths surface.
between two and three times as much incoming solar radiation is absorbed by earths surface as is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds.
all incoming solar radiation is either reflected or absorbed by earths surface.

Explanation:

• For "More than half of incoming solar radiation reaches Earth’s surface":
• The percentage of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface (absorbed + reflected by surface) is \(51\%+ 4\%=55\%\). Since \(55\%>50\%\), this statement is true.
• For "More than five times as much incoming solar radiation is reflected by the atmosphere and clouds as by Earth’s surface":
• The percentage of radiation reflected by atmosphere and clouds is \(26\%\), and by Earth's surface is \(4\%\). \(26\div4 = 6.5>5\), so this statement is true.
• For "Between two and three times as much incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface as is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds":
• The percentage absorbed by Earth's surface is \(51\%\), and by atmosphere and clouds is \(19\%\). \(51\div19\approx2.68\), which is between \(2\) and \(3\), so this statement is true.
• For "All incoming solar radiation is either reflected or absorbed by Earth’s surface":
• Some radiation (\(19\%\)) is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds, not just the Earth's surface. So this statement is false.

Answer:

• More than half of incoming solar radiation reaches Earth’s surface.
• More than five times as much incoming solar radiation is reflected by the atmosphere and clouds as by Earth’s surface.
• Between two and three times as much incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface as is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds.