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Which one of the following reflects back more sunlight as compared to other three?
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- Sand desert
- Land covered with fresh snow
- Prairie land
- Paddy crop land
- Sand desert
Correct Option: B
Albedo is the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from the Earth back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of the earth’s surface. Ice, especially with snow on top of it on land, has the highest albedo. The albedo of given sources is as follows:
• Fresh snow or ice: 60-90% or 80-95%;
• Desert sand: 30-50%;
• Prairie Grasslands: 18-25% or 20%;
• Crops: = 10-25%
