Ranges from ultraviolet up to about 4 micrometers. Called solar, or short-wave radiation . The earth is a huge radiation converter, an open system with respect to energy. The atmosphere is transparent to many wavelengths of solar radiation. When molecules absorb radiation, that energy causes them to bounce faster, avg.
Most wavelengths pass right by.
Earth's surface is a non-selective absorber of SW radiation. It absorbs most wavelengths of solar radiation. Redirection of rays of radiation along a single pathway, like light reflecting off a mirror. Albedo is the short wave reflectivity of a surface. Splitting up of a ray of radiation from a single pathway in all directions.