How do skyscrapers manage the force of gravity acting on them?

• By using lightweight materials that float

• By having a strong foundation that distributes the force

• By being built shorter to reduce gravitational pull

• By using only tension forces

Answer explanation

Skyscrapers manage gravity by having a strong foundation that distributes the force evenly across the structure. This prevents excessive stress on any single point, ensuring stability and safety.

What is the role of steel columns in a skyscraper's superstructure?

• To provide aesthetic appeal

• To take on the load of the building under compression

• To increase the building's height

• To reduce the building's weight

Answer explanation

Steel columns are crucial in a skyscraper's superstructure as they bear the building's weight under compression, ensuring structural stability and safety.

Which force is responsible for pulling materials apart in a skyscraper?

• Gravity

• Compression

• Tension

• Friction

Answer explanation

Tension is the force that pulls materials apart in a skyscraper. It occurs in elements like cables and beams that are stretched, counteracting the compressive forces from gravity and other loads.

Why is steel a preferred material for the superstructure of skyscrapers?

• It is the cheapest material available

• It is lightweight and performs well under both compression and tension

• It is the heaviest material, providing stability

• It is resistant to water damage

Answer explanation

Steel is preferred for skyscraper superstructures because it is lightweight, allowing for taller structures, and it effectively handles both compression and tension forces, ensuring stability and safety.

What is the function of the horizontal steel beams in a skyscraper?

• To increase the building's height

• To bind columns and prevent tension from pulling the skeleton apart

• To provide decorative elements

• To reduce the building's weight

Answer explanation

The horizontal steel beams in a skyscraper serve to bind the vertical columns together, preventing tension forces from pulling the structure apart. This structural integrity is crucial for the stability of tall buildings.

How does the foundation of a skyscraper contribute to its stability?

• By making the building taller

• By distributing downward forces to prevent sinking

• By reducing the building's weight

• By increasing the building's width

Answer explanation

The foundation of a skyscraper is crucial for stability as it distributes downward forces evenly across the ground, preventing the building from sinking. This ensures the structure remains upright and secure.

What happens to a material when it is under tension?

• It becomes shorter

• It becomes longer

• It becomes heavier

• It becomes lighter

Answer explanation

When a material is under tension, it experiences stretching, causing it to become longer. This is a fundamental property of materials, known as tensile deformation.

What is the purpose of a skyscraper's superstructure?

• To provide a decorative exterior

• To distribute forces and hold up the building's weight

• To reduce the building's height

• To increase the building's weight

Answer explanation

The superstructure of a skyscraper is crucial as it distributes forces and supports the building's weight, ensuring stability and safety. This function is essential for the structural integrity of tall buildings.

Which of the following forces is NOT a primary concern for skyscraper stability?

• Gravity

• Compression

• Tension

• Buoyancy

Answer explanation

Buoyancy is not a primary concern for skyscraper stability, as it primarily affects structures in fluids. In contrast, gravity, compression, and tension are critical forces that directly impact the structural integrity of skyscrapers.

What role does the elevator column play in the structure of a skyscraper?

• It acts as a decorative element

• It serves as a support structure

• It reduces the building's weight

• It increases the building's height

Answer explanation

The elevator column is crucial in skyscrapers as it serves as a support structure, helping to bear the weight of the building and providing stability, rather than merely being decorative or affecting weight and height.