Sun's heat and why we do not feel very hot on Earth

Introduction
The Sun is a massive ball of hot gases that emits heat and light. It is the primary source of energy for our planet Earth. While the Sun's rays are indeed hot, there are several reasons why we do not feel excessively hot on Earth. One of the main reasons for this is the presence of the Earth's atmosphere.

Explanation

1. Earth's distance from the Sun
Contrary to option 'a', the distance between the Earth and the Sun does play a role in determining the overall temperature on our planet. However, it is not the primary reason why we do not feel very hot. The Earth is about 93 million miles away from the Sun, and this distance affects the average temperature on Earth, but it is not the main reason for us not feeling hot.

2. Water on Earth's surface
Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, as mentioned in option 'b'. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it takes a significant amount of heat energy to raise its temperature. Consequently, the presence of oceans, lakes, and rivers helps regulate the temperature on Earth, preventing it from becoming excessively hot.

3. Earth's atmosphere
The correct answer, option 'c', states that the Earth's atmosphere reflects the Sun's heat. This is a crucial factor in why we do not feel very hot on Earth. The Earth's atmosphere is composed of various gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others. When sunlight reaches the Earth, some of the heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, while some of it is reflected back into space.

The atmosphere acts as a shield, preventing a significant portion of the Sun's heat from directly reaching the Earth's surface. It absorbs and scatters the Sun's rays, distributing the heat more evenly across the planet. This phenomenon, known as the greenhouse effect, traps some of the heat close to the Earth's surface, maintaining a relatively stable temperature range suitable for life.

4. Moon's role
Contrary to option 'd', the Moon does not protect us from the Sun's heat. The Moon is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth and has no influence on the amount of heat we receive from the Sun. It does not have an atmosphere like the Earth, which could act as a barrier to the Sun's heat.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct answer to why we do not feel very hot on Earth despite the Sun's hot rays is option 'c'. The Earth's atmosphere plays a crucial role in reflecting and absorbing the Sun's heat, preventing it from directly reaching the Earth's surface. This, combined with the presence of water on Earth's surface, helps regulate the overall temperature, making it suitable for life.

Atmosphere on Earth reflects back the Sun's Light.