What term describes the fraction of incident solar radiation that is reflected directly back into space by a surface without being absorbed, ranging from near 0.9 for fresh snow to under 0.1 for open ocean water?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Albedo
- Step 1: Planetary energy balance is determined by the reflectivity of cloud tops, continental ice sheets, and open water.
- Step 2: Albedo (expressed as a decimal from 0 to 1 or as a percentage) dictates surface absorption: fresh Arctic snow has a high albedo (~0.85), reflecting most solar radiation; when ice melts into open ocean (albedo ~0.06), the dark water absorbs heat, triggering a positive feedback loop.
Answer
Albedo
Why not the others: 'Emissivity' Emissivity measures a surface's effectiveness in emitting thermal infrared radiation relative to a theoretical blackbody; 'Insolation' Insolation (incoming solar radiation) is the total amount of solar energy intercepted per unit area over a specified time; 'Transmittance' Transmittance is the fraction of incident electromagnetic radiation that passes completely through a material medium.
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