What happens to the energy absorbed by Earth's surface and atmosphere?
They get radiated back into space as longer wave radiation.
Is there anything else I should add to this answer?
Thanks.
Yes, there are a few more details you can include to further explain what happens to the energy absorbed by Earth's surface and atmosphere.
1. The majority of solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface is absorbed by various materials such as land, water, and vegetation. This absorption warms the surface of the Earth.
2. Once absorbed, this energy is either transformed into heat energy or re-emitted as longer wave radiation in the form of infrared radiation. The processes of conduction, convection, and evaporation transfer some of this heat energy to the atmosphere.
3. The atmosphere, especially the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, acts as a blanket that traps some of this re-emitted radiation, preventing it from escaping directly back into space. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect.
4. The greenhouse effect helps to regulate the Earth's temperature by keeping it warmer than it would be otherwise. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth's surface would be too cold to support life as we know it.
5. Eventually, this trapped energy is released into space through a combination of processes. Some of it is radiated directly into space from the upper atmosphere. Additionally, clouds and other atmospheric particles reflect some of the incoming solar radiation back into space, reducing the amount of energy absorbed in the first place.
Including these additional points will provide a more comprehensive explanation of what happens to the energy absorbed by Earth's surface and atmosphere.