Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation. Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

The air is heated mainly by long-wave radiation from the Earth, not directly by sunlight, so I is false; greenhouse gases do absorb long-wave radiation.

The idea

The source of energy and the route by which air receives it are different things. Much sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms the ground. The ground then transfers energy upward through infrared radiation, contact with air and convection. Greenhouse gases absorb parts of the outgoing infrared spectrum.

Sun supplies short-wave radiation → Much reaches the surface → Surface warms → Surface emits long-wave infrared → Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared → Convection and latent heat also carry energy upward

Why the others are wrong

(a) Accepts I.

(b) Accepts I.

(c) Rejects II.

The trap

The Sun is the energy source, so I sounds right — but sunlight mostly passes through the air and heats the ground first.

Also know

Conduction is heat transfer by contact; convection moves heat with rising and sinking air. Advection moves heat horizontally. Condensing water vapour releases latent heat inside clouds. Ozone absorbs much solar ultraviolet radiation, so “heated from below” describes the lower atmosphere rather than every atmospheric layer.