What percentage of light hits Earth’s surface directly? A. 3 percent
B. 5 percent
C. 31 percent
D. 47 percent
Question & Answer
What percentage of light hits Earth’s surface directly?
1 Answer
Verified archiveThe correct answer is C. 31 percent.
About 31% of the sunlight that reaches the Earth is reflected back into space by clouds, atmospheric particles, and the surface of the Earth. This percentage represents the albedo effect, which measures how much solar energy is reflected versus how much is absorbed. The remaining sunlight is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, which helps to sustain life and drive weather patterns.