The correct answer is: C. 30%
Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. It is a type of electromagnetic radiation that travels in waves. The sun emits a wide range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, but the most important for life on Earth are visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared light.
When solar energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, it is absorbed, reflected, and scattered by the gases and particles in the air. About 30% of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually reaches the Earth’s surface. The rest is either absorbed by the atmosphere or reflected back into space.
The amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth’s surface varies depending on the time of day, the time of year, and the weather conditions. The Earth’s atmosphere is thicker at the equator than at the poles, so more solar energy reaches the Earth’s surface at the equator than at the poles. The Earth’s atmosphere is also thicker in the winter than in the summer, so less solar energy reaches the Earth’s surface in the winter than in the summer.
Clouds can also affect the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth’s surface. Clouds reflect sunlight back into space, so when there are clouds in the sky, less solar energy reaches the Earth’s surface.
Solar energy is a renewable resource that can be used to generate electricity, heat water, and power vehicles. It is a clean and sustainable source of energy that does not produce greenhouse gases.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option A: 5%. This is incorrect because about 30% of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually reaches the Earth’s surface.
- Option B: 15%. This is incorrect because about 30% of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually reaches the Earth’s surface.
- Option C: 30%. This is the correct answer because about 30% of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually reaches the Earth’s surface.
- Option D: 50%. This is incorrect because about 30% of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually reaches the Earth’s surface.
- Option E: 70%. This is incorrect because about 30% of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually reaches the Earth’s surface.