Consider the following statements regarding the Earth's atmosphere: 1. It is completely opaque to short wave solar radiation. 2. It is indirectly heated by the earth’s radiation from below. 3. It retains all heat and does not radiate any back to space. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only. Explanation The thermal regime of the Earth's atmosphere is governed by the interaction between incoming solar radiation (insolation) and outgoing terrestrial radiation. The atmosphere functions as a selective medium, exhibiting different behaviors towards shortwave and longwave radiation. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation. While a fraction is reflected by clouds, scattered by particles, or absorbed by gases (like ozone and water vapor), the majority of shortwave radiation passes through the atmosphere to reach the Earth's surface. It is not completely opaque. - Statement 2 is Correct. The Earth's surface absorbs shortwave solar radiation, heats up, and re-emits energy as longwave terrestrial radiation. Atmospheric gases, particularly greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor, are opaque to this longwave radiation. They absorb this energy, heating the atmosphere from the bottom up. This is why the atmosphere is primarily heated indirectly by the Earth's radiation. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Earth maintains a global heat balance. The atmosphere does not retain all absorbed heat; otherwise, the Earth's temperature would rise indefinitely. The atmosphere radiates heat both downwards to the surface (counter-radiation) and upwards back into space to maintain thermal equilibrium. Key Takeaway: The atmosphere is heated primarily by longwave terrestrial radiation from the Earth's surface rather than directly by incoming shortwave solar radiation.

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

mcqeasy

Consider the following statements regarding the Earth's atmosphere:

It is completely opaque to short wave solar radiation.
It is indirectly heated by the earth’s radiation from below.
It retains all heat and does not radiate any back to space.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1, 2 and 3
B1 only
C2 only
D1 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 only.

Explanation

The thermal regime of the Earth's atmosphere is governed by the interaction between incoming solar radiation (insolation) and outgoing terrestrial radiation. The atmosphere functions as a selective medium, exhibiting different behaviors towards shortwave and longwave radiation.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation. While a fraction is reflected by clouds, scattered by particles, or absorbed by gases (like ozone and water vapor), the majority of shortwave radiation passes through the atmosphere to reach the Earth's surface. It is not completely opaque.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Earth's surface absorbs shortwave solar radiation, heats up, and re-emits energy as longwave terrestrial radiation. Atmospheric gases, particularly greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor, are opaque to this longwave radiation. They absorb this energy, heating the atmosphere from the bottom up. This is why the atmosphere is primarily heated indirectly by the Earth's radiation.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Earth maintains a global heat balance. The atmosphere does not retain all absorbed heat; otherwise, the Earth's temperature would rise indefinitely. The atmosphere radiates heat both downwards to the surface (counter-radiation) and upwards back into space to maintain thermal equilibrium.

Key Takeaway: The atmosphere is heated primarily by longwave terrestrial radiation from the Earth's surface rather than directly by incoming shortwave solar radiation.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

Which of the following best explains why the annual insolation received on 3rd January is slightly more than on 4th July?

easy

Consider the following data regarding the Heat Budget of the Earth: 1. 35 units are reflected back from the top of the clouds. 2. 14 units are absorbed within the atmosphere. 3. 51 units are absorbed by the earth’s surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

With reference to the heating of the atmosphere, consider the following statements: 1. Conduction is the process where heat is transferred through horizontal movement of air. 2. Convection is the process of vertical heating of the atmosphere. 3. Advection has no role in the diurnal variation of daily weather in middle latitudes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the variability of insolation at the surface of the Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The Earth receives slightly more annual insolation on 3rd January than on 4th July. 2. The variation in solar output due to the Earth's distance from the Sun has a drastic effect on daily weather changes. 3. The rotation of the Earth on its axis is one of the factors causing variations in insolation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following factors is/are responsible for the variations in insolation received at the surface of the Earth? 1. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays 2. The transparency of the atmosphere 3. The configuration of land in terms of its aspect 4. The revolution of the Earth around the Sun has no influence on insolation variations Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

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The correct option is 2 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation. While a fraction is reflected by clouds, scattered by particles, or absorbed by gases (like ozone and water vapor), the majority of shortwave radiation passes through the atmosphere to reach the Earth's surface. It is not completely opaque.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Earth's surface absorbs shortwave solar radiation, heats up, and re-emits energy as longwave terrestrial radiation. Atmospheric gases, particularly greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor, are opaque to this longwave radiation. They absorb this energy, heating the atmosphere from the bottom up. This is why the atmosphere is primarily heated indirectly by the Earth's radiation.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Earth maintains a global heat balance. The atmosphere does not retain all absorbed heat; otherwise, the Earth's temperature would rise indefinitely. The atmosphere radiates heat both downwards to the surface (counter-radiation) and upwards back into space to maintain thermal equilibrium.

Key Takeaway: The atmosphere is heated primarily by longwave terrestrial radiation from the Earth's surface rather than directly by incoming shortwave solar radiation.