EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Most solar energy occurs at wavelengths unsuitable for photosynthesis. Between 98 and 99 percent of solar energy reaching Earth is reflected from leaves and other surfaces and absorbed by other molecules, which convert it to heat. Thus, only 1 to 2 percent is available to be captured by plants.

Detailed explanation-2: -Of all the Sun’s energy which is incident on earth, only 1% is used by plants for photosyntheis. Remaining energy is either reflected back (30%), converted into heat (50%) or lost due to evaporation (19%).

Detailed explanation-3: -Less than one percent of the total energy that reaches Earth is used by plants for photosynthesis. Plants are often called producers because of their ability to make their own food from the sun’s energy.

Detailed explanation-4: -In terms of energy, sunlight at Earth’s surface is around 52 to 55 percent infrared (above 700 nm), 42 to 43 percent visible (400 to 700 nm), and 3 to 5 percent ultraviolet (below 400 nm).

Detailed explanation-5: -The green plants capture about 1% of the energy of sunlight that falls on their leaves for the process of photosynthesis. This energy is converted into chemical energy as food. At the subsequent level, only 10% of the energy is available.