Final answer:
When solar radiation passes through Earth's atmosphere, it can be absorbed or reflected, depending on the surface albedo. Greenhouse gases also absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the planet. These interactions significantly influence Earth's climate and support critical environmental systems including weather patterns and the hydrological cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
As solar radiation passes through Earth's atmosphere, several phenomena can have an effect on it. Some of the infrared radiation is absorbed and then re-emitted by greenhouse gas molecules, which warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere. Furthermore, the sunlight energy that reaches Earth can either be absorbed or reflected, with the amount of solar radiation reflected depending on the albedo of Earth's surfaces such as snow, clouds, and oceans.
For example, light-colored surfaces like snow have a high albedo and reflect most of the sunlight, while darker surfaces like oceans absorb more radiation. These absorbed solar energies contribute significantly to warming Earth's land, water, and atmosphere. Additionally, atmospheric conditions can alter the solar absorption patterns, such as when surface reflectivity changes with the melting of Arctic ice, which then exposes darker water that absorbs more solar radiation. The amount of energy entering Earth's system can also vary due to changes in the greenhouse effect, variations in solar energy, and changes in atmospheric and surface reflectivity. Ultimately, a portion of the absorbed energy fuels critical earth systems like the hydrological cycle, wind patterns, and photosynthesis that supports life.