Final answer:
The albedo increases in the sequence of asphalt with the lowest reflectivity; ocean, which reflects more than asphalt; grassland, which reflects more than the ocean; and snow, which has the highest reflectivity. The correct answer is option e. asphalt; ocean; grassland; snow.
Step-by-step explanation:
The albedo, or reflectivity, of various surfaces increases with their ability to reflect solar radiation. Light-colored surfaces typically reflect more sunlight while darker colors absorb more. Therefore, when we sequence different surfaces by increasing albedo, starting from the least reflective to the most reflective, we consider the color and texture of these surfaces in relation to sunlight reflection.
Dark, smooth surfaces like asphalt absorb a lot of sunlight and have a low albedo. Water bodies like the ocean, while darker in color, still reflect more than asphalt due to the glint of the water surface. Different types of landscapes such as grassland have a higher albedo than both asphalt and the ocean because vegetation reflects more sunlight. Lastly, snow has the highest albedo of the surfaces mentioned because its white surface reflects most of the sunlight that hits it.