Which term refers to the proportion of energy that is reflected back to the atmosphere?

The term that refers to the proportion of energy that is reflected back to the atmosphere is known as albedo. Albedo is a measure of reflectivity of a surface; it quantifies how much solar energy is reflected versus how much is absorbed. For example, surfaces with high albedo, such as ice and snow, reflect a large portion of the incoming solar radiation, while darker surfaces, like forests or oceans, tend to absorb more sunlight, resulting in a lower albedo.

Understanding albedo is crucial in the context of climate and environmental studies, as it influences local temperatures and can impact global climate patterns. It affects how different surface types interact with solar radiation, contributing to temperature variations across different regions of the Earth.