Final answer:
Solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface is either reflected or absorbed, with about 30% reflected and 70% absorbed, affecting Earth's temperature and natural processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface, it either gets reflected or absorbed. This process is influenced by the characteristics of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. Surfaces like snow and clouds, with a high albedo, reflect a considerable amount of sunlight, while darker surfaces like oceans and forests absorb more. Overall, Earth has an albedo of around 30%, which means that 70% of the sunlight that reaches our planet is absorbed, while the remainder is reflected back into space. The absorbed solar radiation is responsible for warming the Earth's land, water, and atmosphere, and plays a vital role in processes such as evaporation, driving winds, photosynthesis, supporting life, and influencing ocean currents.