The Earth’s atmosphere is mainly heated by which one of the following ?
[amp_mcq option1=”Short wave solar radiation” option2=”Reflected solar radiation” option3=”Long wave terrestrial radiation” option4=”Scattered solar radiation” correct=”option3″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2021
The Earth’s atmosphere is primarily heated indirectly. Incoming shortwave solar radiation (A) passes through the atmosphere with relatively little absorption, directly heating the Earth’s surface. The heated surface then emits energy in the form of longwave infrared radiation (C). Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (like carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, etc.) are efficient absorbers of this longwave terrestrial radiation. This absorption by greenhouse gases is the main process by which the atmosphere is heated, particularly in the lower layers (troposphere).