EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Fresh snow has the largest reflection and hence highest albedo, whereas black soil has the lowest albedo since it absorbs maximum amount of solar radiation.

Detailed explanation-2: -The smallest albedos occur over those tropical ocean regions where clouds are sparsely distributed. The ocean surface has an intrinsically low albedo so that when clouds and sea ice are absent, the Earth’s albedo over ocean areas is only 8–10%.

Detailed explanation-3: -Dark surfaces absorb the rays from the sun (low albedo). Ice-and snow-covered areas have high albedo, and an ice-covered Arctic reflects solar radiation which otherwise would be absorbed by the oceans and cause the Earth’s surface to heat up.

Detailed explanation-4: -The regions of highest albedo are regions of snow and ice, followed by desert regions and regions where there is significant cloud cover during the year. Oceans have the lowest albedo.