■
EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERE#Insolation□ Reflection◇ The scattering of incoming solar radiation waves by
dust particles and
molecules of
water vapour (clouds) when the diameter of these particles is longer than the
wavelengths of incoming solar radiation is called
diffuse reflection which sends some portion of incoming solar energy back to space.
◇ The
diffused and
scattered solar energy present in the lower atmosphere enables us to see even the
dark portion of the moon. One can also see (if not suffering from cataract) even in the pitch darkness of night.
◇ Some of the scattered and diffused solar energy reaches the
ground surface. Such energy is called as
diffuse blue light of the sky or
diffuse day light. Some portion of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space by high clouds (27 per cent) and by the ice-covered ground surface (2 per cent).
