Solar energy radiation, reflection and absorption, illustration. Radiation energy from the Sun hits the Earth's atmosphere. Some is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere and some is reflected or absorbed by clouds. Some reaches the Earth's surface, which absorbs some radiation, reflects some, and re-radiates some as infrared radiation (heat). Some of this radiation passes through the atmosphere back into space. The build-up of certain chemicals in the atmosphere can change its absorbance and emission of radiation, contributing to global warming. For an unlabelled version of this image see C057/3971.