What is the average temperature of the earths atmosphere?
The earth-atmosphere energy balance is the balance between incoming energy from the Sun and outgoing energy from the Earth. Energy released from the Sun is emitted as short-wave light and ultraviolet energy. When it reaches the Earth, some is reflected back to space by clouds, the atmosphere absorbs some, and some is absorbed at the Earth’s surface. However, since the Earth is much cooler than the Sun, its radiating energy is much weaker (long wavelength) infrared energy. We can indirectly see this energy radiate into the atmosphere as heat, rising from a hot road, creating shimmers on hot sunny days. The earth-atmosphere energy balance is achieved as the energy received from the Sun balances the energy lost by the Earth back into space. In this way, the Earth maintains a stable average temperature and therefore a stable climate. The absorption of infrared radiation trying to escape from the Earth back to space is particularly important to the global energy balance. Energy absorption b
