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The atmosphere is actually heated by the earth, not by the sun directly. Visible light passes through the atmosphere and strikes the surface of the earth, and thus warms the surface layer of the earth. The atmosphere is mostly transparent to visible light, meaning the light does not absorb visible light, and is therefore not heated by visible light.
As the surface of the earth warms up, it radiates low intensity infrared radiation, which is not transparent to the atmosphere, and so the atmosphere absorbs the infrared radiation, and warms up. The air closest to the surface of the earth absorbs most of the infrared radiation, and is therefore warmer than air at a higher altitude.
In fact, above about 10 km, the temperature starts to increase again due to the presence of the ozone layer. This absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation which leads to heating.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoHeat flows from hot to cold, following the temperature gradient. (simplified 'Clausius Statement'). This happens because with no energy input it eventually satisfies equilibrium, the minimum energy state.
Hot land, cold atmosphere, heat transfer occurs, temperature drops.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe sun provides the solar radiation that heats the Earth's atmosphere.
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∙ 9y agoAnswer question
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Does the temperature of the sun decrease in the night?
The temperature of the sun stays constant. At night, you are facing away from the sun, and the Earth is beyween you and the sun.
What causes the change in the appearance of the Crescent moon?
The sun and the earth cast a shadow over the moon while they revolve so the shadow will decrease and increase over the moon by which part of the moon is visible by the sun.
Why is sun give off tremendous amount of solar energy?
Gravity compresses the Sun up to a point at which it has a high temperature and pressure in its center. This causes the nuclear fusion, which is the source of energy of the Sun.
Can people increase or decrease a planet temperature?
They can do both, but it is up to them to decrease usage of fuels in order to increase planet temperature.
Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitiude in the troposphere?
The temperature decreases with altitude.
What causes the temperature in the troposphere to decrease?
Answer question
Does the temperature of the sun decrease in the night?
The temperature of the sun stays constant. At night, you are facing away from the sun, and the Earth is beyween you and the sun.
What will cause a decrease in a gas pressure in a closed container?
A loss of gas, or a decrease in temperature.
What problems arise from a decrease in the ozone layer?
Decrease of ozone layer causes UV to enter. These are fatal rays of the sun.
What causes temperature change between winter and summer?
revolution of earth around the sun causes the variation in the temperature..
What from the sun causes the sun to evaporate the water?
Thermal radiation from the sun increase the temperature of water.
What can causes an increase in the density of the ocean water?
salt a decrease in temperature and an increasue in salinity
Does a decrease in temperature results in a decrease or in crease in the volume of gas?
Temperature is directly proportional to volume i.e. as temperature increases volume of gas also increases and as it decreases, the volume also decreases
What happens to temperature as the angle at which the sun's rays strike the earths surface decreases?
Usually, as the angle of incidence of the sun's rays decrease (i.e. when the sun is nearer to the horizon than to the zenith) the temperature decreases.
What causes the temperature to decrease in photosynthesis the break down of water by electrolysis?
endothermic... it think
What chemical reaction called when it absorbs energy and causes decrease in temperature?
Probable you think to sweating.
Why does the sun give of energy?
The high temperature and pressure in the Sun's interior causes nuclear fusion.
