What is the term used to describe the percentage of solar radiation reflected by the Earth's surface?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Albedo represents the proportion of solar radiation reflected by a planetary surface or object back into space, expressed as a percentage or decimal fraction. Fresh snow and ice possess very high albedos, whereas dark forests and oceans absorb a greater share of incoming insolation. Changes in global albedo significantly influence the Earth's radiative heat balance and long-term climate change patterns.