How much of the energy that the Earth receives from the Sun is reflected out into space?
To find out how much of the energy that the Earth receives from the Sun is reflected out into space, we need to look at a concept called albedo. Albedo is a measure of how reflective a surface is, and it is usually expressed as a percentage.
To determine the Earth's albedo, scientists take measurements from satellites and ground-based observations. These measurements consider different components, including clouds, ice, land surfaces, and oceans. The average albedo of the Earth is approximately 30%, which means that about 30% of the incoming solar energy is reflected back into space.
It's worth noting that the Earth's albedo can vary depending on various factors, such as the presence of clouds, the type of surface (land, ice, water), and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the exact amount of energy reflected can vary from one location to another and may change over time due to seasonal variations or long-term climate changes.
So, approximately 30% of the energy that the Earth receives from the Sun is reflected back into space.