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Climate in Cities

basics

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Urban Climate

2. Urban climate - more
Radiation balance

Worksheet 1: Test your knowledge

Choose your topic ...
Lower Atmosphere	basics	more
Upper Atmosphere	basics	more
Weather	basics	more
Clouds and Particles	basics	more
Climate in Cities	basics	more
Oceans	basics	more
Food and Climate	basics	more
People Changing Climate	basics	more

1. Clipart by Hemera, Big box of art

Radiation balance

Investigate the surface of your home town.

Walk through one area using a town map for orientation.

How much of the surface is covered with streets, buildings, or concrete?

Are there parks and open spaces and how large are they?

Make a black and white copy of your town map and colour in the parks and the non-built up areas in green and the built up area in red.

Calculate (in percent) how much of your town is built up and how much of the natural surface still exists.

2. Town surfaces are mainly covered by buildings, streets and squares.
Picture: Hemera "Big box of art".

Can you answer these questions on radiation balance?

1) Which type of surface reflects the most solar radiation?

a) asphalt
b) snow
c) grass
d) sand

2) The amount of solar radiation is reduced in the city as a result of air pollution and clouds. By how much?

a) 0 - 10%
b) 10 - 20%
c) 20 - 30%
d) 30 - 40%

3) By what percentage is the direct insolation reduced in a city?

a) up to 10%
b) up to 20%
c) up to 40%
d) up to 50%

4) What is destroyed by ultra-violet radiation?

a) insects
b) birds
c) bacteria
d) pets

5) How much has the back scattering capability of clouds over mid-Europe been reduced (1985-1989 compared to 1996-1999)?

a) 2.8%
b) 0.6%
c) 2.2%
d) 1.4%

Attention: This quiz is optimised for internet explorer or new versions of Netscape!
If the little solution window disappears, just reopen it from the task row!

About this page:

author: - B. Wohlhöfer - University of Nürnberg, Germany
educational reviewing: Dr. Helmut Schrettenbrunner, Dr. Yvonne Schleicher and Julia Heres - University of Nürnberg, Germany
last update: 2003-09-09

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