Why is it cooler at the earth survice on cloudy days?
It is cooler on a cloudy day because the clouds reflect energy from the sun back into space which therefore causes less energy to reach the earth and leads to it feeling cooler.
Well, the clouds act as nature's giant parasols! They're like Earth's fashionable sunglasses, blocking the sun's direct rays from reaching the surface. It’s like getting a free pass to a cool, shady picnic while the rest of the world is baking under the sun's fierce gaze. So, on cloudy days, you can thank the clouds for giving us a break from the heat and making it a little cooler down here!
On cloudy days, it can feel cooler at the Earth's surface because the clouds act as a barrier to the sunlight. This phenomenon is primarily due to two main reasons: reflection and absorption.
1. Reflection: Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere. When sunlight reaches the clouds, these particles scatter the light in different directions, including back into space. This scattering process is known as reflection. As a result, less sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, leading to reduced heating.
2. Absorption: Clouds can also absorb some of the incoming solar radiation. The water droplets or ice crystals in the clouds can absorb a portion of the sunlight and convert it into heat energy. This absorption decreases the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface, further reducing the temperature.
To understand why it feels cooler on cloudy days, you can observe and compare the temperature on a sunny day with a clear sky versus a cloudy day. You can use a thermometer to measure the temperature at the surface level in both situations. By noting and comparing the temperature differences, you can observe the effect of clouds on the cooling of the Earth's surface.