All of the radiation that enters the top of the atmosphere does not reach the surface of the earth. The figure in the previous link is a cartoon that treats the processes as being the same everywhere on the surface of the earth. We will see that there is a predictable pattern of variation in the strengths of these processes. We have already examined the processes that distribute the incoming solar radiation Reflection by atmosphere and earth surface Absorption by atmosphere and earth surface and some of the processes that transfer globally the energy that enters the climate system. Convection Conduction Evaporation Radiation 4.
Every object emits energy with wavelengths characterisic for the object's temperature.
Therefore, the sun emits energy with short wavelengths. Some of the gases that are in the earth's atmosphere absorb infrared energy. These gases trap energy and keep it within the climate system, warming the earth. As stated above, each object radiates with a wavelength characteristic of its temperature. Wavelength of Max.