Final answer:
The average amount of energy absorbed within the atmosphere is less than the amount absorbed at the surface. This is because the Earth's surface is directly involved in critical processes that utilize solar energy, indicating substantial direct absorption of sunlight beyond the atmospheric absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about the average amount of energy absorbed within the atmosphere in comparison to the amount absorbed at the planet's surface. Based on the information provided, we understand that the Sun delivers 1,360 W/m² to the top of Earth's atmosphere, and approximately 30% of this is immediately reflected back into space, indicating that about 70% is absorbed by the Earth's system which includes both the atmosphere and the surface. However, Earth's atmosphere and surface absorb solar radiation differently. Energy transfer within Earth's system is influenced by the albedo effect, greenhouse effect, and other factors such as emissivity.
Considering the complexity of these interactions and the available information, the energy absorbed by the atmosphere is significant, but it is not more than the energy absorbed at the surface because a substantial amount of sunlight reaches the surface directly. Additionally, the Earth's surface is responsible for various processes such as evaporation of water, driving wind, and supporting life through photosynthesis, which all result from direct absorption of solar energy at the surface level. Therefore, the answer to the question is b) Less than the amount absorbed at the surface.