equal areas of which type of earth surface will absorb more insolation and radiate more energy back toward space in the same amount of time?

The missing options are

(1) light colored and rough

(2) dark colored and rough

(3) light colored and smooth

(4) dark colored and smooth

Answer:

(2) dark colored and rough

Explanation:

The dark color would absorb more radiations and rough surface will further faciliate in absorbing. This is because, dark color absorbs all types of wavelengths (of light) and reflects none of them. This is the reason that it appears black. Rough surface will increase the surface area and thus provide more opportunities for absorption as compared to the smooth surface. If the absorption rate would be higher, than the rate of radiating energy back to the space would also be higher for the dark and rough surface area. White color and smooth would not be able to absorb because they will reflect all types of wavelengths immediately without storing anything.