When solar radiation, or sunlight, hits a snow surface, there are three possible actions that can occur: absorption, reflection, and transmission.

In option 1, it states that most of the radiation is absorbed and only a small portion is reflected. This is incorrect. In reality, snow is highly reflective, meaning that most of the radiation is reflected back into the atmosphere. This is why snow appears bright and white. Some of the radiation is absorbed by the snow, but it is not the majority.

Option 2 suggests that the radiation can penetrate through the snow and reach the ground. This is partially true. While some of the radiation can be transmitted through the snow and into the ground, it is not the main action that occurs when sunlight hits a snow surface.

Option 3, the correct answer, states that most of the radiation is reflected and only a small portion is absorbed. This is accurate. Snow reflects a significant amount of the sunlight that hits it, which is why it can cause glare on sunny days. Only a small amount of the radiation is absorbed, leading to the snow`s gradual melting.

Option 4, which suggests an even distribution of absorption and reflection, is incorrect. The reflection of radiation is much more prevalent than absorption in the case of a