Final answer:
The atmosphere gets most of its sun energy because it is transparent to solar radiation, which allows sunlight to penetrate and warm the Earth's surface. The greenhouse effect helps to trap heat within the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet. The solar photosphere is the layer of the Sun's atmosphere that transitions from transparent to opaque.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Atmosphere Gets Most of Its Sun Energy
The atmosphere receives most of the Sun's energy because it is generally transparent to solar radiation. This transparency allows sunlight to reach the Earth's surface, where it is absorbed and reradiated at different wavelengths. However, the atmosphere behaves differently at various layers. The solar photosphere, which is the visible surface of the Sun, changes from transparent to opaque within a thin layer of just over 400 kilometers. The energy from the Sun supports life on Earth through photosynthesis and drives the planet's climate and weather.
The greenhouse effect plays a crucial role in how the atmosphere uses the Sun's energy. While the atmosphere is transparent to visible sunlight, allowing it to warm the Earth's surface, it also absorbs infrared radiation emitted by the Earth. This absorption helps to trap heat within the atmosphere, warming the planet.
Clouds and ice, which reflect almost 30% of incoming sunlight, also affect how solar energy is distributed on Earth. Only a small fraction of light is reflected; the rest is absorbed by the land, ocean, and atmosphere, which contributes significantly to life-supporting processes and weather systems.