Homework: Albedo Effect

Albedo can best be described as...

• the temperature at the equator

• the amount of solar radiation absorbed

• the amount of solar radiation reflected

• the air pressure during El Nino

Answer explanation

Albedo refers to the fraction of solar radiation that is reflected by a surface. Therefore, the correct choice is 'the amount of solar radiation reflected', as it directly defines what albedo measures.

How does heat energy from the sun reach Earth?

• conduction

• insulation

• radiation

Answer explanation

Heat energy from the sun reaches Earth primarily through radiation. Unlike conduction and convection, which require a medium, radiation allows energy to travel through the vacuum of space.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is albedo?

• The measure of the amount of sunlight absorbed by a surface

• The measure of the reflectivity of a surface

• The measure of the heat emitted by a surface

• The measure of the color of a surface

Answer explanation

Albedo refers to the measure of reflectivity of a surface, indicating how much sunlight is reflected versus absorbed. The correct choice highlights this concept, distinguishing it from other measures like heat emission or color.

Which of the following surfaces has the highest albedo?

• Fresh snow

• Grass

• Ocean water

• Desert sand

Answer explanation

Fresh snow has the highest albedo because it reflects about 80-90% of incoming sunlight, while grass, ocean water, and desert sand reflect significantly less. This high reflectivity makes fresh snow the best choice.

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between albedo and global warming?

• Higher albedo contributes to global warming.

• Lower albedo contributes to global cooling.

• Higher albedo can help mitigate global warming by reflecting more sunlight.

• Albedo has no impact on climate change.

Answer explanation

Higher albedo reflects more sunlight, reducing heat absorption by the Earth. This can help mitigate global warming, making the statement "Higher albedo can help mitigate global warming by reflecting more sunlight" the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Discuss how melting ice caps can create a feedback loop that increases global temperatures.

• Melting ice caps increase albedo, leading to cooling.

• Melting ice caps decrease albedo, leading to further warming.

• Melting ice caps have no effect on global temperatures.

• Melting ice caps increase albedo, leading to warming.

Answer explanation

Melting ice caps decrease albedo, meaning less sunlight is reflected and more is absorbed by the Earth's surface. This leads to further warming, creating a feedback loop that accelerates global temperature rise.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which surface would likely have the lowest albedo?

• A forest

• A snow-covered field

• A sandy beach

• A black asphalt road

Answer explanation

A black asphalt road has the lowest albedo because it absorbs most sunlight, reflecting very little. In contrast, a forest, snow, and sand reflect more light, resulting in higher albedo values.

What role does albedo play in the polar regions?

• It helps to keep the regions warm by absorbing sunlight.

• It helps to keep the regions cool by reflecting sunlight.

• It has no significant role in polar regions.

• It increases the temperature by trapping heat.

Answer explanation

Albedo in polar regions is high due to ice and snow, which reflect sunlight. This reflection helps keep these areas cool, preventing excessive warming, making the correct choice: it helps to keep the regions cool by reflecting sunlight.

Identify the primary reason why deserts have a higher albedo than forests.

• Deserts have more vegetation.

• Deserts have lighter-colored sand

• Deserts have more water bodies.

• Deserts have more cloud cover.

Answer explanation

Deserts have a higher albedo than forests primarily because they consist of lighter-colored sand, which reflects more sunlight. In contrast, forests have darker foliage that absorbs more light, resulting in a lower albedo.

The Black Asphalt has a ______ albedo, which means it ______ more light than the grass

• High

  Reflects

• High

  Absorbs

• Low

  Reflects

• Low

  Absorbs

Answer explanation

The Black Asphalt has a low albedo, meaning it absorbs more light than the grass, which has a higher albedo and reflects more light.