Final Exam Definitions

Question 1

Abiotic Factors

Answer 1

physical (non-living) factors like light radiation, temperature, or water

Question 2

Biotic Factors

Answer 2

actions of other organisms (living) like the forces that shape biological evolution, or like, bears

Question 3

Winter solstice

Answer 3

December 22nd; when the sun strikes the tropic of Capricorn @ 90 degrees

Question 4

Summer Solstice

Answer 4

June 22nd; when the sun strikes the tropic of Cancer at 90 degrees

Question 5

Autumnal Equinox (fall)

Answer 5

September 23rd; when the sun strikes the equator at 90 degrees

Question 6

Vernal Equinox (spring)

Answer 6

March 21st; when the sun strikes the equator at 90 degrees

Question 7

Direct Radiation

Answer 7

solar radiation traveling directly from the sun to the earth in a straight line

Question 8

Diffuse Radiation

Answer 8

sunlight that has been scattered by molecules and particles in the atmosphere

Question 9

Reflected Radiation

Answer 9

sunlight that has been reflected off of non-atmospheric things such as the ground.

Question 10

Incident Solar Radiation (aka insolation {INcident SOLAr radiaTION})

Answer 10

s the amount of solar radiation energy received on a given surface during a given time

Question 11

Conduction

Answer 11

When heat moves from one object to another that is up against it

Question 12

Convection

Answer 12

transfer of heat by the actual movement of warmed matter.

Question 13

Radiation

Answer 13

Transfer of heat from a warmer surface to a cooler surface which are facing each other.

Question 14

Thermal Mass

Answer 14

the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy like bricks and concrete

Question 15

Single Sided Ventilation

Answer 15

limited to zones close to the openings.

Question 16

Cross Ventilation

Answer 16

two or more openings on opposite walls. Covers a larger zone than the single-sided openings

Question 17

Stack Ventilation

Answer 17

buoyancy-driven ventilation by having a chimney stack structure to add to air flow thorughout the house

Question 18

Passive Heating (passive conditioning)

Answer 18

natural heating of a building through things like windows and glazing, insulation, drought sealing, and air locks

Question 19

Passive Cooling (passive conditioning)

Answer 19

natural heating of a building through things like opening windows, wind catchers, night purge ventilation, and evaporative cooling

Question 20

Water Cycle

Answer 20

the continuous movement of water between earth and it’s atmosphere

Question 21

Precipitation / Condensation (apart of the phase changes in the water cycle)

Answer 21

water falling from the sky in various forms like rain, snow, or dew

Question 22

Collection (apart of the phase changes in the water cycle)

Answer 22

surface run off, ground water infiltration, lakes, springs or rivers

Question 23

Evaporation/ Transpiration (apart of the phase changes in the water cycle)

Answer 23

water returns to the sky from lakes, rivers, snow caps etc.

Question 24

Climate

Answer 24

long–term atmospheric conditions observed at a site

Question 25

Weather

Answer 25

individual, short-term (hourly or daily) observations.

Question 26

Dry Bulb Temperature

Answer 26

air temp we measure by ordinary thermometer

Question 27

Absolute Humidity

Answer 27

he measure of the actual water vapor in the air.

Question 28

Relative Humidity

Answer 28

the ratio of the absolute humidity to the theoretical maximum for a given temperature and pressure. It is expressed as a %.

Question 29

Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)

Answer 29

Created by prof. Fanger in 1980; stands among the most recognized thermal comfort models. It was developed using principles of heat balance and experimental data collected in a controlled climate chamber

Question 30

PMV formula

Answer 30

PMV =f(M, Rc, Ta, Tmrt, V, RH)

where: M = metabolic rate due to activity (e.g. sitting = 1.0 met).
Rc. = resistance of clothing (e.g., winter gear = 3.0 clo)
Ta= air temperature
Tmrt= mean radiant temperature
V = air velocity
RH = relative humidity

Question 31

Wet Bulb Temperature

Answer 31

the dry blub temperature with 100% humidity

Question 32

Enthalpy

Answer 32

the total heat energy of both the dry air and water vapor per kg of dry air

Question 33

Active Conditioning

Answer 33

Heating with a machine, so HVAC

Question 34

Microclimate

Answer 34

a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas.

Question 35

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Answer 35

Energy from organic products found inside the earth that have taken millions of years to form make fossil fuels, like oil, natural gas, and coal; and nuclear energy.

Question 36

Urban Heat Island Effect

Answer 36

When an urban area is much warmer than the surrounding less populated areas due to heavy population, and all the things that population uses, like cars, HVAC, ovens etc.

Question 37

Psychometric Chart

Answer 37

a chart that looks at all of the different needs of a certain climate in order to obtain 100% comfort indoors

Question 38

Renewable Energy Sources

Answer 38

Energy that can replenish it’self over time, like wind, water and sun

Question 39

Types of Hydro

Answer 39

1. Impoundment ( a dam) 2. Diversion (a canal) 3. Pumped Storage (turbine or mill)

Question 40

Effects of Climate Change on Weather

Answer 40

changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spacial extent, duration and timing

Question 41

Anthropocene

Answer 41

study of geologic time periods dating from the commencement of significant human impact on the Earth’s geology, hydrology, biosphere and ecosystems, including, but not limited to, anthropogenic climate change.

Question 42

ASHRAE deffinition of comfort

Answer 42

“that condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment”

Question 43

Environmental Functions of Trees

Answer 43

Cleansing the air, lowering chance of flood, reducing the UHI effect