[Bob434]

[[Solar energy is mostly in the UV spectrum, which is not absorbed by CO2. Radiant energy form the Earth is in the IR spectrum, which is absorbed by CO2]]

Ok that explains one of the questions I had about CO2 reflecting the sun’s energy or not- But even if it isn’t absorbed, can it be reflected by CO2?

[kosciusko51]

The short answer is yes.

The more complex answer is that for a given wavelength of light (λ), a material can absorb (α_λ), reflect(ρ_λ), and/or transmit(τ_λ) a fraction of the energy in the wavelength, and the sum of α_λ+ρ_λ+τ_λ = 1.