This radiant energy arrives at the Earth in a broad band of electromagnetic spectra . The properties shown here of the radiation spectrum follow two important laws, the Stefan-Boltzmann law and Wien's law . This means that hot bodies not only radiate more energy, they radiate at shorter wave lengths. Solar Energy in the Atmosphere Some of the energy Earth receives from the sun in the form of electromagnetic energy pass undisturbed, some are absorbed by the atmosphere, and the rest are turned back. Oxygen, ozone, water vapor, carbon dioxide and dust are the most important absorbers of short-wave length energy from the Sun and short wave radiation emitted by by the Earth.
Small particles act as obstacles to the paths of radiant radiation.
The radiant energy from the sun encounters clouds in the atmosphere which act to reflect back some of the energy. 31 percent is reflected by clouds and the Earth's surface. This means that there is an Energy Balance . In other words if the Earth absorbs 69 percent of the radiation it receives from the sun, then it must also be an equal amount re-radiated back into space. Keep in mind, however, that this balance is for the entire Earth.