Which wavelength of electromagnetic radiation mostly passes through the Earth's atmosphere?

The correct answer is based on the understanding of how different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation interact with the Earth's atmosphere. Short wavelengths, which include visible light and some ultraviolet radiation, manage to pass through the atmosphere more effectively than other wavelengths.

The Earth's atmosphere is composed of various gases and particles that can absorb or scatter different wavelengths. Most notably, certain gases, like water vapor and carbon dioxide, tend to absorb longer wavelengths, such as infrared radiation. This means that longer wavelengths are often blocked from reaching the surface of the Earth.

In contrast, the shorter wavelengths, especially those in the visible range, can penetrate the atmosphere without significant obstruction. This allows a majority of sunlight to reach the Earth's surface, which is crucial for supporting life and driving various environmental processes.

Understanding this characteristic of short wavelength radiation helps explain why the atmosphere is relatively transparent to these wavelengths, leading to their predominance in what actually reaches us on the ground.