Urban Heat Islands and Climate Effects

The video explores the urban heat island effect, explaining how cities become warmer than surrounding areas due to factors like heat transfer, surface materials, and lack of vegetation. It highlights the role of plants in cooling through transpiration and discusses human impact on urban climates. Solutions such as using reflective materials and increasing greenery are suggested to mitigate the heat effect.

What is the primary difference between climate and microclimate?

• Microclimate is only found in rural areas.

• Climate refers to a large area, while microclimate is a smaller, distinct area.

• Climate changes rapidly, while microclimate is stable.

• Microclimate is the average weather over centuries, while climate changes daily.

What is the urban heat island effect?

• A phenomenon where urban areas have more rainfall than rural areas.

• A phenomenon where urban areas are cooler than rural areas.

• A phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas.

• A phenomenon where rural areas are warmer than urban areas.

How does the sun's radiation affect urban areas differently than rural areas?

• Urban areas absorb more sunlight due to surface materials.

• Urban areas reflect more sunlight than rural areas.

• Rural areas absorb more sunlight due to vegetation.

• Urban areas receive more sunlight than rural areas.

How does convection contribute to the urban heat island effect?

• By cooling the air above urban surfaces.

• By preventing heat from reaching the surface.

• By trapping heat within urban surfaces.

• By moving heat away from the surface as warm air rises.

What process in plants helps to cool the surrounding air?

• Respiration

• Photosynthesis

• Transpiration

• Condensation

What is the effect of transpiration on plant temperature?

• It decreases the temperature of the plant.

• It increases the temperature of the plant.

• It has no effect on plant temperature.

• It only affects the temperature at night.

Why do dark-colored materials contribute to urban heat islands?

• They are cooler than light-colored materials.

• They reflect all wavelengths of light.

• They absorb all wavelengths of light and convert it to heat.

• They allow water to flow through them.

Why are impervious materials a problem in urban areas?

• They are too light in color.

• They allow too much water to flow through.

• They prevent water from cooling the surface.

• They are too reflective.

What is one method cities use to reduce urban heat island effects?

• Building more roads and sidewalks.

• Covering surfaces with reflective materials.

• Increasing the use of air conditioners.

• Painting all buildings black.

What is a benefit of adding more vegetation in urban areas?

• It increases the urban heat island effect.

• It makes the city look more colorful.

• It decreases the need for air conditioning.

• It provides more shade and cooling through transpiration.