Urban Heat Islands

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What is albedo?

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Albedo is the measure of the amount of solar radiation that is reflected by a surface.

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Why are cities like Los Angeles warmer than grassy areas?

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Cities have a lot of man-made materials, such as concrete and asphalt, that absorb and retain heat.

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What type of radiation is heat radiated back to space from Earth?

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Heat is radiated back to space from Earth as infrared radiation.

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Which of the following is NOT a cause of urban heat islands: presence of large bodies of water, vegetation, or man-made materials?

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Presence of large bodies of water is NOT a cause of urban heat islands.

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What are some negative effects of urban heat islands on human health?

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Negative effects include increased risk of heat-related illnesses, poor air quality, and higher rates of cardiovascular diseases.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

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What role do man-made materials play in urban heat islands?

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Man-made materials, like concrete and asphalt, absorb and retain heat, contributing to higher temperatures in urban areas.

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How does vegetation affect urban heat islands?

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Vegetation helps to cool urban areas through shade and evapotranspiration, reducing the heat island effect.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What is the urban heat island effect?

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The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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How does urbanization contribute to the urban heat island effect?

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Urbanization increases the amount of heat-absorbing surfaces and reduces vegetation, leading to higher temperatures.

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What is the significance of infrared radiation in the context of urban heat islands?

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Infrared radiation is the form of energy that heat is emitted as from the Earth's surface back into space.