What does the term "albedo" refer to in the context of materials?

In the context of materials, "albedo" specifically refers to the color or diffuse reflectivity of an object. It describes how much light is reflected by the surface relative to the total incoming light. This concept is essential in the creation of realistic materials in Unity and other 3D software, as it directly affects how an object appears under various lighting conditions. A surface with a high albedo reflects a significant amount of light and tends to be lighter in color, while a low albedo surface absorbs more light and appears darker. Understanding albedo is crucial for artists as they create textures and paints that mimic real-world materials, ensuring that objects behave realistically when illuminated in a scene.