Question

fall final exam: mc
what is meant by the statement that the average albedo of the moon is 0.1?
○ 10% of the radiation incident on the moon is absorbed by its surface
○ 10% of the radiation emitted by the moon is absorbed by its atmosphere
○ 10% of the radiation incident on the moon is reflected by its surface
○ 10% of the radiation emitted by the moon is at infrared wavelengths

Explanation:

Albedo is the fraction of incident solar radiation reflected by a surface. The Moon has no atmosphere, so the albedo (0.1) means 10% of incident radiation on the Moon is reflected by its surface. Other options are incorrect: the Moon has no atmosphere to absorb (so B is wrong), albedo is about reflection of incident (not emitted) radiation (so C and D are wrong).

Answer:

The option: 10% of the radiation incident on the Moon is reflected by its surface (the third option from the left, or the one stating "10% of the radiation incident on the Moon is reflected by its surface")