Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
albedo
noun
/ælˈbiː.doʊ/
Definition
Albedo is a term used to describe the reflectivity of a surface, specifically how much light is reflected without being absorbed.
Examples
- Snow has a high albedo, reflecting most of the sunlight that hits it.
- Different surfaces, like forests and oceans, have varying albedos, affecting the Earth’s energy balance.
- Urban areas tend to have a lower albedo due to darker materials like asphalt.
Meaning
The fraction of solar energy (light) reflected from the Earth back into space; it is a dimensionless value typically expressed as a percentage.
Synonyms
- reflectivity
- brightness
