Insolation reaching the surface of the earth:
A)is all absorbed by the earth.
B)represents about 50 percent of the amount that was at the top of the atmosphere.
C)is unaffected by Earth's albedo.
D)has not yet been affected by backscattering.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Insolation reaching the surface of the earth represents about 50 percent of the amount that was at the top of the atmosphere because some of the energy is reflected back into space by clouds, atmospheric gases, and the earth's surface (albedo).

Insolation Reaching the Surface of the Earth