Thus, the rays striking at a low angle are subject to greater depletion by reflection and absorption. CES1410 Earth sun relationships. Characteristics of the solstices and equinoxes. Illustration of conduction, convection, and radiation. Distribution of incoming solar radiation by percentage.
More solar energy is absorbed by Earth s surface than by the atmosphere.
Consequently, the air is not heated directly by the sun but is heated chiefly by reradiation from Earth s surface. The heating of the atmosphere. Most of the solar radiation that is not reflected back to space passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed at Earth s surface. Earth s surface, in turn, emits longer wavelength radiation. A portion of this energy is absorbed by certain gases in the atmosphere.