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Urban Climate

Worksheet: Radiation balance

Sheet 1: Test your knowledge

Clipart by Hemera, Big box of art

Radiation balance

Investigate the surface of your home town.

Walk through a quarter of your town and use a town map for orientation.

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

Are there green areas and how extensive are they?

Make a black and white copy of your town map and paint the green areas and the non built up areas in green color, then the built up area in red.

Your final task is to calculate (measure) how much of the natural surface (in percent) still exists in your home town.

The surface in towns is mainly covered by buildings, streets and squares. (picture by Hemera "Big box of art")

Can you answer these questions on radiation balance?

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

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

2) The amount of solar radiation is reduced (in percentage) by air pollution and clouds in the city by ...

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

3) Up to what percentage is the direct insolation in the city reduced (in percentage)?

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

4) What is killed by UV 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%

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About this page:

- Author: - B. Wohlhöfer - University of Nürnberg - Germany
- scientific reviewing:
- educational reviewing: Dr. Schrettenbrunner / Dr. Schleicher / J. Heres
- last update: 09.09.03