Consider the following statements regarding the heat budget of the earth 1 Albedo is the amount of s...........

Geography and Environment (HCS) World climates

Consider the following statements regarding the heat budget of the earth:

1. Albedo is the amount of sunlight which is re fl ected back to the space by the earth’s surface.

2. Highest amount of insolation is re fl ected back into the space by snow covered peaks.

3. The amount of heat received by the surface of the earth in form of insolation

is equal to the amount re fl ected by it through terrestrial radiation.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Albedo is an expression of the ability of surfaces to reflect sunlight (heat from the sun).
Fresh snow has the largest reflection and hence highest albedo, that is reflection of sunrays.
The Earth maintains its temperature by balancing the amount of heat it receives and loses. This equilibrium occurs when the heat received from the Sun, known as insolation, is equal to the heat lost through terrestrial radiation.