Final answer:
The statement that UV radiation from the sun passes through the Earth's atmosphere more readily than outgoing IR radiation is true. This is due to UV radiation's higher energy and shorter wavelength compared to IR radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement you're referring to is true. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun does indeed pass more readily through Earth's atmosphere than outgoing infrared (IR) radiation. The Earth's atmosphere is selectively transparent to different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
While it allows a good amount of UV radiation to pass through, it is less transparent to IR radiation. This differential passage is crucial for the greenhouse effect, where heat from the Earth's surface is trapped by atmospheric gases and keeps the planet warm enough to support life.
Ultraviolet radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher energy compared to visible light and is thus more effective at penetrating the atmosphere than infrared radiation, which has a longer wavelength and lower energy. The re-radiated energy, mainly in the form of IR, cannot escape as readily as the incoming UV radiation, leading to the warming of the Earth's surface.