Rooftop Gardens Quiz Questions and Answers

The "urban heat island effect" refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. This is primarily due to the large amount of concrete and asphalt in cities, which absorbs and retains heat. As a result, urban areas can have higher temperatures, altered wind patterns, and increased air pollution. These changes in local weather and climate can have various impacts, such as increased energy consumption, heat-related illnesses, and changes in precipitation patterns. Therefore, it is true that the urban heat island effect affects weather and climate.

Rooftop gardens actually make growing food in a city easier. They utilize unused space and provide a solution for urban dwellers to grow their own food. By utilizing rooftops, urban agriculture can thrive, reducing the need for transportation and making fresh produce more accessible to city residents. Additionally, rooftop gardens can also help with insulation, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide habitat for pollinators, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

Black surfaces absorb all wavelengths of light, including visible light and heat energy. This absorption causes the surface to get hotter than other colored surfaces, as they reflect or transmit more light and heat. Therefore, black surfaces have a higher ability to convert light into heat, making them heat up faster and to a greater extent than other colored surfaces.

The sun heats the surface of the Earth through radiation. Radiation refers to the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves. The sun emits a vast amount of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light and infrared radiation. When this radiation reaches the Earth, it is absorbed by the surface, causing it to heat up. This process is known as solar radiation and is the primary source of heat for our planet. Therefore, the statement is true.

Materials in cities, such as asphalt and concrete, absorb more heat compared to natural materials, such as plants and soil. This is because asphalt and concrete have higher thermal conductivity, meaning they are better at conducting and storing heat. On the other hand, natural materials like plants and soil have lower thermal conductivity and can absorb and retain less heat. As a result, cities with a high concentration of asphalt and concrete tend to experience higher temperatures, contributing to the urban heat island effect.

During photosynthesis, plants use water and carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis as it is converted into glucose and oxygen through the process. The plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen as a byproduct, which is crucial for the survival of other living organisms.

Absorbers are materials that absorb or take in light waves, rather than changing their direction. When light waves encounter an absorber, they are absorbed by the material and converted into other forms of energy, such as heat. Therefore, the statement that absorbers change the direction of light waves is incorrect.

Structural engineers do not have to consider the height of the roof when constructing a rooftop garden. While they need to assess the condition of the roof, access to the roof, and the structural capacity of the roof to ensure the safety and feasibility of the garden, the height of the roof is not a relevant factor in this context. The height of the roof may affect other aspects such as wind exposure or aesthetic considerations, but it does not directly impact the structural engineering considerations for constructing a rooftop garden.

The phenomenon described in the question is known as the urban heat island effect. This occurs when the temperature in cities is significantly higher than in the surrounding suburban or rural areas. The reason for this is the high concentration of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure in cities, which absorb and retain heat, creating a warmer microclimate. This effect is exacerbated by factors such as reduced vegetation, increased energy use, and the heat generated by human activities.