Arrange the following in decreasing order of their albedos.

(A) Sand
(B) Black Soil
(C) Thick Cloud
(D) Water

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

Albedo is the measure of the reflectivity of a surface. A higher albedo means a surface reflects more sunlight, while a lower albedo means it absorbs more sunlight.

1. Thick Cloud (C) → 70-90%
   • Clouds have high albedo because they reflect most of the sunlight back into space.
2. Sand (A) → 30-50%
   • Sand reflects more sunlight due to its light color and dry surface.
3. Black Soil (B) → 5-15%
   • Black soil has a low albedo because it absorbs more heat due to its dark color.
4. Water (D) → 5-10%
   • Water absorbs most of the sunlight and has a low albedo, except in cases where sunlight is reflected at a low angle.

• Albedo plays a crucial role in climate regulation. High albedo surfaces like clouds and ice contribute to cooling, while low albedo surfaces like soil and water contribute to warming.
• Deserts appear bright from space due to the high reflectivity of sand.
• Oceans absorb heat, affecting global temperature and climate patterns.