Question

scenario: students in brooklyn are working on a community science project to help reduce heat in their neighborhood. they learn that dark rooftops absorb more heat, contributing to the urban heat island effect. their teacher shows them a model comparing surface temperatures of black roofs vs. white reflective roofs. they also analyze a bar graph showing average summer temperatures over the past 10 years and discuss possible solutions to reduce heat and energy use.
questions:

1. what does the rooftop temperature model help students understand?

a) how clouds form over cities
b) how different materials affect heat absorption
c) how buildings produce electricity
d) how rain cools the streets

1. which of the following is a strategy to reduce urban heat and help fight climate change?

a) painting rooftops black
b) using more concrete in sidewalks
c) installing reflective roofs
d) removing trees from city parks

1. based on the data, which year had a summer with the lowest average kinetic energy?

a) 2016
b) 2018
c) 2021
d) 2023

1. using the rooftop model and temperature data, identify a solution that would be effective in reducing heat in the city in 2025, assuming that the trend in average summer temperature continues in this city. support your answer with data/evidence from the model.

Explanation:

• Question 13: The rooftop temperature model shows different temperatures for black and white roofs. Since black and white are different materials, this helps students understand how different materials affect heat absorption. Cloud formation (a), electricity production (c), and rain cooling streets (d) are not related to the rooftop model.
• Question 14: Black roofs absorb more heat (a is wrong). Concrete (b) and removing trees (d) do not help reduce urban heat. Reflective roofs (like the white roof in the model) can reflect heat, so installing them (c) is a good strategy.
• Question 15: Kinetic energy is related to temperature. Lower temperature means lower average kinetic energy. Looking at the bar - graph, 2016 has one of the lower summer average temperatures among the options.
• Question 16: Installing reflective roofs (similar to the white roof in the model) would be effective. The model shows that the white (reflective) roof has a lower temperature (\(49^{\circ}C\)) compared to the black roof (\(67^{\circ}C\)). If the summer temperature trend continues to rise (as per the bar - graph showing an upward trend from 2013 - 2023), reflective roofs can counteract some of the heat absorption, reducing the urban heat island effect.

Answer:

1. b) How different materials affect heat absorption
2. c) Installing reflective roofs
3. a) 2016
4. Installing reflective roofs. The model shows that the white (reflective) roof has a lower temperature (\(49^{\circ}C\)) compared to the black roof (\(67^{\circ}C\)). As the summer temperature trend (from the bar - graph) shows an upward trend from 2013 - 2023, reflective roofs can reduce heat absorption, which is beneficial for reducing the urban heat island effect in 2025.