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albedo

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ælˈbiːdoʊ/

KK: /ælˈbiːdoʊ/

noun
Definition

The amount of light or other radiation that is reflected by a surface, often used to describe how much sunlight is reflected by planets, moons, or other objects.


Example

The albedo of the moon is significantly higher than that of the Earth.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard about the concept of albedo in astronomy?
Sloth B
Yeah, it's fascinating how it affects the climate on different planets.
Sloth A
Right? I read that the albedo of Earth is crucial for regulating our temperature.
Sloth B
Exactly! It really shows how interconnected everything is in our environment.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
reflectance
brightness
luminosity
Antonyms
absorption
darkness
opacity
Root Explanation

Albedo is derived from the Latin word "albedo" (meaning whiteness or brightness), which comes from "albus" (meaning white). The term refers to the measure of reflectivity of a surface, particularly in relation to how much sunlight is reflected by a body, such as a planet or moon.

Memory Tip

Think of 'whiteness' ('albedo') to remember that it refers to how much light is reflected, like a bright, shiny surface.

Visually Confused Words
algedo
alcedo
abed
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