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Q.Which of the following rays coming from the Sun plays an important role in keeping the earth warm? (A) Infrared rays (B) γ\gamma-rays (C) UV rays (D) Visible light rays

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The Sun’s infrared rays are the primary carriers of heat energy that warm the Earth’s surface. While UV and visible light also arrive, it is the infrared radiation that directly plays the key role in keeping the Earth warm. The correct option is (A).


Why this question is about heat, not just light

When we ask “what keeps the Earth warm?”, we are really asking about thermal energy transfer. The Sun emits a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation — from gamma rays to radio waves. But not all of it heats the Earth equally. Some is reflected, some is absorbed in the upper atmosphere, and some reaches the surface and warms it.

The key idea: objects at the Sun’s temperature (~5500°C) emit mostly visible light, but objects at Earth’s temperature (~15°C) emit mostly infrared. The warming process involves two steps — the Sun’s energy arrives mostly as visible light, gets absorbed by the ground, and then the ground re-emits that energy as infrared radiation, which is trapped by greenhouse gases. That trapped infrared is what actually keeps the surface warm.

Let’s examine each option.


Step-by-step reasoning

  1. Infrared rays (Option A)

    Infrared radiation is directly associated with heat. Any object above absolute zero emits infrared. The Earth’s surface, after absorbing sunlight, radiates infrared back out. Greenhouse gases (CO₂, H₂O) absorb this infrared and re-radiate it, keeping the lower atmosphere warm. Without this infrared trapping, the Earth would be about 33°C colder.

    Conclusion: Infrared is the direct agent of warming.

  2. Gamma rays (Option B)

    Gamma rays are extremely high-energy, short-wavelength radiation. They are produced by nuclear reactions in the Sun’s core, but they are absorbed high in the Earth’s atmosphere (in the ionosphere) and never reach the surface. They do not contribute to surface warming — they can even be harmful.

    Conclusion: Gamma rays play no role in keeping the Earth warm.

  3. UV rays (Option C)

    Ultraviolet radiation has more energy than visible light. Most UV is absorbed by the ozone layer in the stratosphere. This absorption does heat the upper atmosphere, but that heat does not significantly warm the surface. UV is responsible for sunburns and vitamin D synthesis, not for the planet’s overall warmth.

    Conclusion: UV is not the primary warming agent.

  4. Visible light rays (Option D) …

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