Albedo is a fundamental physical measure describing the reflectivity of a surface or object. Quantitatively, it is the ratio of the solar radiation reflected by a material to the total solar radiation incident upon it. The value of albedo ranges from zero, indicating perfect absorption of all incoming radiation, to one, indicating perfect reflection. This property is critical in understanding planetary and atmospheric energy budgets, as changes in albedo—such as those caused by ice melt or changes in surface cover—can significantly alter the amount of energy absorbed by a region, thereby influencing global climate patterns and atmospheric circulation.