Radiation — Know

What factors affect the balance between incoming and outgoing radiation, and hence the temperature, of the Earth?

The Earth's temperature depends on the balance between incoming radiation absorbed from the Sun and infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface into space. This balance is affected by factors such as the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (which absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation, trapping heat), cloud cover, and the reflectivity of the surface (e.g. ice and snow reflect more radiation, while dark surfaces and oceans absorb more). If incoming energy exceeds outgoing energy the Earth's temperature rises; if outgoing exceeds incoming it falls.