What happens to solar radiation when it enters the atmosphere?

When solar radiation enters the Earth's atmosphere, three things can happen to it: it may be absorbed, reflected, or re-emitted. An energy balance diagram can be used to explain these processes. High-energy solar radiation is reflected by clouds, while some gets absorbed by the oceans and land. Land then re-emits some energy back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation, which has a lower energy level. This radiation balance diagram shows how much energy is absorbed and re-emitted, without requiring precise numerical values.