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The sun's radiation is depleted through dispersion, scattering, reflection, and absorption. If the sun's radiation wasn't filtered or depleted, the planet would soon be too hot for life to exist.
The ozone layer absorbs solar radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Cloud coverage and air pollution can also reduce the amount of radiation that reaches Earth's surface. Clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere can scatter and absorb all radiation bands. The amount of solar radiation intercepted by the earth is called extraterrestrial radiation. Diffuse solar radiation, also known as diffuse sky radiation, is the radiation that reaches the Earth's surface after being scattered in the atmosphere.
Related: Renewable Energy Practice Test: Extraterrestrial and Terrestrial Radiation
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