Question:

Which of the following objects reflects more solar radiation?

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In food processing, storage silos and refrigerated trucks are often painted white to minimize heat gain from solar radiation, thereby reducing cooling costs.
Updated On: Jul 4, 2026
  • Black objects
  • White objects
  • Mirror / polished objects
  • Sand
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept: The ability of a surface to reflect solar radiation is called Albedo.

• Absorption: Darker surfaces absorb more light and convert it to heat.

• Reflection: Lighter surfaces bounce back a higher percentage of light.

Step 1: Understanding color and energy.
Black is the absence of reflected light; it absorbs almost all wavelengths of the visible spectrum. White is the combination of all visible wavelengths being reflected simultaneously.

Step 2: Comparing White vs. Polished surfaces.
While mirrors reflect light in a single direction (specular), white surfaces reflect light in all directions (diffuse). In terms of total solar radiation (including UV and Visible), white objects have the highest diffuse reflectance.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, white objects stay the coolest in the sun because they reflect the most radiation. Final Answer: (B)
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