Question

sea ice, an important hunting ground for polar bears, has an albedo of 0.7. identify the statement that best describes how a surface with an albedo of 0.7 reflects and absorbs light. 70% of the light is reflected by the surface, and 30% is absorbed. 0.7% of the light is absorbed by the surface, and 0.3% is reflected. 70% of the light is absorbed by the surface, and 30% is reflected. 0.7% of the light is reflected by the surface, and 0.3% is absorbed.

Explanation:

Albedo is the proportion of light (solar radiation) that a surface reflects. An albedo of 0.7 means 70% of the incoming light is reflected. Since the total of reflected and absorbed light should be 100% (or 1 in proportion), the absorbed light is \(1 - 0.7=0.3\) or 30%. So we analyze each option:

• First option: 70% reflected, 30% absorbed. Matches the albedo definition.
• Second option: Incorrectly interprets 0.7 as a percentage (0.7% instead of 70%).
• Third option: Mixes up reflection and absorption (says 70% absorbed, which is wrong as albedo is reflection).
• Fourth option: Incorrectly interprets 0.7 as 0.7% reflection.

Answer:

A. 70% of the light is reflected by the surface, and 30% is absorbed.