What does albedo measure?

Albedo measures the reflectivity of a surface, quantifying how much incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space instead of being absorbed. It is expressed as a fraction or percentage; a high albedo means a surface reflects a large portion of solar energy, while a low albedo indicates that a surface absorbs more sunlight. For example, fresh snow has a high albedo, reflecting most sunlight, whereas dark asphalt has a low albedo, absorbing most of the solar energy it receives.

This concept is particularly significant in climate science because surfaces with different albedos can affect local and global climate patterns. For instance, changes in surface albedo due to deforestation or urbanization can lead to variations in temperature and weather patterns. Understanding albedo is essential for studying Earth's energy balance and the impacts of climate change.