Exposure of dark ocean surface after ice melt leads to more energy being absorbed.

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Get ready for the Dual Enrollment Earth Science Test. Study strategically with multiple choice questions that include hints and detailed explanations.

Multiple Choice

Exposure of dark ocean surface after ice melt leads to more energy being absorbed.

Explanation:
When ice or snow covers the surface, it has a high albedo, meaning it reflects a large portion of incoming sunlight. Dark ocean water, in contrast, has a low albedo and absorbs most of the sunlight that hits it. After ice melts, more dark water is exposed, so the surface absorbs more solar energy instead of reflecting it. That extra absorption heats the water and can cause even more ice to melt, creating a reinforcing cycle. So the outcome is that more energy is absorbed.

When ice or snow covers the surface, it has a high albedo, meaning it reflects a large portion of incoming sunlight. Dark ocean water, in contrast, has a low albedo and absorbs most of the sunlight that hits it. After ice melts, more dark water is exposed, so the surface absorbs more solar energy instead of reflecting it. That extra absorption heats the water and can cause even more ice to melt, creating a reinforcing cycle. So the outcome is that more energy is absorbed.

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