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Question

What percentage of energy coming from the Sun is re-radiated towards the space?

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2018 Paper 1 Question Paper (8-Jul-2018)
The correct answer is

30%

The question asks about the percentage of energy that is re-radiated back into space from the Sun's incoming energy. This is a typical inquiry related to the Earth's energy budget within the context of climate studies.

When solar energy reaches the Earth, it undergoes several interactions:

  1. Some of the solar radiation is immediately reflected back into space by clouds, atmospheric particles, or bright ground surfaces like ice and snow. This process is known as albedo.
  2. Some of the solar energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface, warming the planet.
  3. Earth re-emits energy in the form of infrared radiation back into space to maintain energy balance.

Approximately 30% of the incoming solar energy is reflected back into space. This fraction consists of reflections from clouds, atmospheric particles, and the Earth's surface. This is known as the Earth's albedo.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 30%.

Let's rule out the other options:

  • 15% - This is incorrect as it underestimates the typical proportion of reflected solar energy.
  • 50% - This is incorrect as it overestimates the reflected energy; only about half of this amount is actually reflected.
  • 25% - This is incorrect as it is somewhat close to the correct answer but still not accurate.

This concept is crucial in understanding the Earth's climate system and energy balance processes.

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