If Earth is known to have an average albedo of 0.31, what percentage of the sunlight hitting Earth is absorbed by it?
A) 100% - 0.31% = 99.69%-that is, most of it
B) 31%
C) 0.31%, or very little-most of it is reflected into space.
D) 69%

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Albedo is a measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed. Therefore, if Earth has an albedo of 0.31 (or 31%), it reflects 31% of the sunlight and absorbs the remaining 69%.

If Earth Is Known to Have an Average Albedo of 0.31