Which statement best describes the effect of high albedo on energy absorption?

Which statement best describes the effect of high albedo on energy absorption?

• A. High albedo causes more absorption
• B. Albedo has no effect
• C. High albedo causes more reflection and less absorption
• D. Low albedo causes more reflection

Answer: (C)

Albedo is how reflective a surface is. When albedo is high, the surface reflects a large portion of incoming solar radiation, so much less energy is absorbed and the surface warms less. This is why bright surfaces like snow or ice stay cooler because they bounce sunlight away rather than soaking it in. The statement that best describes this is that high albedo causes more reflection and less absorption. The others contradict how reflectivity works: high albedo does not mean more absorption, albedo does affect energy absorption, and low albedo does not cause more reflection (it absorbs more energy).

Albedo is how reflective a surface is. When albedo is high, the surface reflects a large portion of incoming solar radiation, so much less energy is absorbed and the surface warms less. This is why bright surfaces like snow or ice stay cooler because they bounce sunlight away rather than soaking it in. The statement that best describes this is that high albedo causes more reflection and less absorption. The others contradict how reflectivity works: high albedo does not mean more absorption, albedo does affect energy absorption, and low albedo does not cause more reflection (it absorbs more energy).