Which of the following have albedo greater than the global average?
(A) Ice (B) Cumulus clouds (C) Stratus clouds (D) Dark wet soil (E) Forest
Options:

Correct option is D

Albedo refers to the reflectivity of a surface. It is the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from the Earth back into space. Higher albedo = more reflectivity.
Ice: Has high albedo (~0.6 to 0.9), especially fresh snow or clean ice. It reflects most sunlight.
Cumulus clouds: These white, thick clouds have high reflectivity (~0.7 to 0.9).
Stratus clouds: Also have relatively high albedo (~0.4 to 0.7).
Dark wet soil: Has very low albedo (~0.05 to 0.2), absorbs most sunlight.
Forest: Also has a low albedo (~0.15 to 0.2), lower than the global average.
The global average albedo is around 0.30. So, only ice, cumulus clouds, and stratus clouds have albedo values greater than this.
Information Booster:
Albedo plays a crucial role in Earth's energy balance and climate system. Surfaces with high albedo (like ice and clouds) help cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight. In contrast, darker surfaces (like forests and wet soil) absorb more solar radiation, contributing to warming. Cloud cover and polar ice significantly influence Earth's overall albedo.
Additional Information:
Dark wet soil and forests both have albedo values less than the global average, and hence do not contribute to higher reflectivity.
Option (1), (2), and (3) include incorrect low-albedo surfaces and are thus incorrect.