In: Physics
The chief source of atmospheric heat is
a. incoming solar radiation
b. infrared radiation from the earth itself
c. ultraviolet radiation absorbed by ozone
d. ultraviolet radiation absorbed by clouds
The solar radiation coming from the sun will not directly strike the earth surface. When the light rays reaches to the atmosphere, the infrared radiation is absorbed by the gases present in the atmosphere. Then theses gases reflects 25% of infrared radiation and remaining radiation will heat up the atmosphere.
Thus, option (b) is correct.
Since incoming solar radiation will not directly fall on the atmosphere of earth, thus it is not a chief source of atmospheric heat. Thus, option (a) is wrong.
Ultraviolet radiation does not fall on the troposphere because these are absorbed by the ozone present in the stratosphere. Since atmosphere is present in troposphere, ultraviolet radiation is not a chief source of atmospheric heat. Thus, option (c) and (d) are wrong.
Thus, option (b) is correct.