UPSC Prelims 2024 Question:

Consider the following statements

Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.

Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Explanation: 

Terrestrial Radiation:

• The insolation received by the earth is in short wave forms and heats up its surface. The earth after being heated itself becomes a radiating body and it radiates energy to the atmosphere in long wave form. This energy heats up the atmosphere from below. This process is known as terrestrial radiation.
  
  
• The long wave radiation is absorbed by the atmospheric gases, particularly by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Thus, the atmosphere is indirectly heated by the Earth’s radiation.
  
  
• The atmosphere in turn radiates and transmits heat to space. Finally, the amount of heat received from the sun is returned to space, thereby maintaining a constant temperature at the earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.
  
  

So, statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct. 

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography | Climate Weather and Atmosphere