Question
Define albedo and the effect of differential albedo (ice/snow, land, and water) on climate.
Relate it to lighter and darker surface colors.
Answer
Albedo is the measure of how much solar radiation is reflected off a surface. Differential albedo is the difference in albedo between different surfaces, such as ice/snow, land, and water. Lighter surfaces, such as ice/snow, reflect more solar radiation than darker surfaces, such as land and water, which absorb more solar radiation. This affects climate by influencing the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed or reflected, which can lead to changes in temperature.