How much incident light is typically reflected by ice?

The correct answer indicates that ice reflects about 50% of the incident light that hits its surface. This phenomenon occurs due to the physical properties of ice, which has a relatively high albedo, meaning that it reflects a significant portion of incoming solar radiation.

When light encounters ice, some of it penetrates the surface while a substantial amount is reflected back. The reflection is influenced by the surface smoothness of the ice, how much light it is exposed to, and the angle at which the light strikes the ice.

In natural conditions, various factors, such as snow on top of the ice or impurities within the ice, can affect the exact percentage of light reflected. Nonetheless, around 50% is a useful approximation for clear ice in many circumstances.

It's also important to note that the other options present varying levels of reflectivity, but 100% reflection would only occur under very specific conditions, such as perfectly reflective surfaces, which is not typical for ice. Similarly, lower percentages like 25% or 75% do not accurately represent the reflective properties of ice under most conditions. Understanding the reflective capability of ice is crucial for various applications, including climate modeling and understanding albedo effects in polar regions.