Arrange the following surfaces in decreasing order of albedo:
A. Sand B. Old snow C. Forest D. Fresh snow E. Wet earth
Choose the correct answer :

Correct option is C

The correct order of surfaces in decreasing order of albedo is:
· D. Fresh snow (80% to 90%)
· B. Old snow (50% to 60%)
· A. Sand (30% to 50%)
· E. Wet earth (10% to 20%)
· C. Forest (5% to 10%)
Thus, the correct answer is Option (3): D, B, A, E, C.
Explanation:
· Fresh snow (D):
· Has the highest albedo, reflecting about 80% to 90% of incoming solar radiation.
· Fresh, white surfaces are highly reflective.
· Old snow (B):
· Slightly lower albedo than fresh snow, reflecting around 50% to 60%.
· The surface becomes less reflective as snow ages and accumulates impurities.
· Sand (A):
· Reflects 30% to 50% of sunlight.
· Light-colored, dry sand has a higher albedo than wet or dark sand.
· Wet earth (E):
· Reflects 10% to 20% of solar radiation.
· Wet soil is less reflective than dry soil due to moisture absorption.
· Forest (C):
· Reflects only 5% to 10% of incoming radiation.
· Dense vegetation absorbs most sunlight, leading to low albedo.
Information Booster:
1. Albedo measures the reflectivity of a surface.
2. Surfaces with high albedo reflect more sunlight and remain cooler.
3. Fresh snow has the highest natural albedo.
4. Forests and oceans have low albedo, absorbing more solar radiation.
5. Changes in albedo influence global warming and climate patterns.
6. Urban areas with dark surfaces have lower albedo, contributing to the urban heat island effect.
Additional Knowledge:
· (A) Sand:
· Reflectivity depends on color and moisture.
· Dry, light sand reflects more than wet sand.
· (B) Old Snow:
· Lower albedo than fresh snow due to dirt, dust, and compaction.
· (C) Forest:
· Dense vegetation absorbs sunlight, resulting in low albedo.
· Contributes to warming of forested areas.
· (D) Fresh Snow:
· Highly reflective, leading to cooler temperatures in snowy regions.
· (E) Wet Earth:
· Absorbs more sunlight due to moisture, lowering reflectivity.
Key Points:
1. Albedo affects Earth's energy balance and climate.
2. Fresh snow has the highest natural reflectivity.
3. Low albedo surfaces (forests, oceans) absorb more heat.
4. Understanding albedo helps in climate modeling and mitigation.
5. Reflective surfaces can be used for geoengineering to combat warming.