The Atmospheric Heat Budget

Question 1

Where do we get energy from the sun?

Answer 1

In the form of shortwave solar radiation (also known as insolation)

Question 2

What happens to 50% of insolation?

Answer 2

Absorbed by the surface of the Earth and then released as longwave radiation, e.g. infrared or heat energy. This radiation heats up the troposphere

Question 3

What happens to the other 50% of incoming solar radiaition?

Answer 3

Split in three ways:
25% is reflected back into space by the air and clouds in the atmosphere
20% is absorbed by the air and clouds in the atmosphere
5% is reflected back into space by the Earth’s surface