Assuming the incoming solar radiation to be 100 units, consider the following statements about the radiation budget of earth:
(A) About 51 units of solar radiation are absorbed by earth's surface. (B) About 20 units of long-wave radiation emitted from earth's surface are lost to space directly without being absorbed by the atmosphere. (C) About 19 units of solar radiation are absorbed by the atmosphere.
Which of the above statements are correct?

Correct option is C

Explanation Statements (a) and (c) are correct. Approximately 51 units of solar radiation are absorbed by Earth's surface, which is vital for heating the planet and supporting processes like photosynthesis. About 19 units of solar radiation are absorbed by the atmosphere, which affects the energy balance and climate. However, statement (b) is incorrect; not all emitted long-wave radiation escapes directly into space, as some are absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Information Booster
· Absorption by Earth's Surface: The absorbed solar radiation is essential for processes such as photosynthesis and heating the land and oceans.
· Long-Wave Radiation: This refers to thermal radiation emitted by Earth, which plays a critical role in the energy balance.
· Atmospheric Absorption: The absorption of solar radiation by the atmosphere affects weather patterns and climate regulation.
Additional Information
· Energy Budget: Understanding the Earth's energy budget is crucial for analyzing climate change and energy distribution between various components of the Earth system.
· Greenhouse Effect: The long-wave radiation contributes to the greenhouse effect, helping maintain the Earth's temperature.