Previous Year Question
Which one of the following reflects back more sunlight as compared to other three?
Sand Desert
Paddy crop land
Land covered with fresh snow
Prairie land
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The fraction of incoming solar radiation that is reflected back by a surface is known as its Albedo. A surface with a higher albedo reflects a greater proportion of sunlight.
Fresh snow has a very high albedo and it can be around 0.9, meaning that it can reflect nearly 90% of the incoming solar radiation. This is because snow has a bright, white and highly reflective surface.
In contrast, sand desert, paddy crop land and prairie land absorb a greater proportion of incoming sunlight and reflect less than fresh snow. The albedo of snow also decreases when it becomes old, begins to melt, or accumulates dust and other impurities.
Thus, among the given options, land covered with fresh snow reflects the greatest amount of sunlight.