After energy is absorbed at Earth's surface, what percentage is reflected back?

After energy is absorbed at Earth's surface, what percentage is reflected back?

• A. 12%
• B. 20%
• C. 6%
• D. 2%

Answer: (C)

Energy reaching the surface has a small chance of bouncing back. The fraction reflected by the surface itself is about six percent on average. This comes from surface albedo—the tendency of different surfaces to reflect some sunlight. Most of the energy is absorbed by the land and sea, warming the surface and later being emitted as heat. Snow and ice reflect more, but they’re not representative of the global average, so the typical surface reflection remains around six percent while the larger portion of reflection in the Earth’s overall energy budget comes from the atmosphere and clouds.

Energy reaching the surface has a small chance of bouncing back. The fraction reflected by the surface itself is about six percent on average. This comes from surface albedo—the tendency of different surfaces to reflect some sunlight. Most of the energy is absorbed by the land and sea, warming the surface and later being emitted as heat. Snow and ice reflect more, but they’re not representative of the global average, so the typical surface reflection remains around six percent while the larger portion of reflection in the Earth’s overall energy budget comes from the atmosphere and clouds.