How is the energy that reaches earth's surface returned to space?

is is by radiation?

Yes, the energy that reaches Earth's surface is returned to space primarily through a process called radiation.

Radiation is a form of heat transfer that occurs in the form of electromagnetic waves. When sunlight reaches the Earth, it warms the surface, causing it to emit thermal radiation. This thermal radiation is in the form of infrared waves or heat energy.

Some of this emitted radiation is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, while the rest is able to escape back into space. The absorbed radiation is then re-emitted in all directions, with some of it directed back towards the Earth and some of it directed towards space.

This process, known as the greenhouse effect, plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature. It allows the Earth to retain enough heat to support life, while also preventing overheating by releasing excess energy back into space.

In addition to radiation, there are other processes by which energy is transferred from Earth's surface to space. These include conduction and convection, which primarily occur within the Earth's atmosphere and transfer energy from the surface to higher levels in the atmosphere. However, radiation is the primary mechanism through which energy returns to space.