Question 1

_____ allows the radiant energy absorbed during the day to be stored and released gradually during the night.&#10;A) Thermal mass&#10;B) A heat absorbing surface&#10;C) Heat distribution&#10;D) An aperture control mechanism

Accepted Answer

Thermal mass refers to materials that can absorb and store heat, such as concrete or brick. By incorporating thermal mass into a building's design, it can absorb the radiant energy from the sun during the day and release it gradually during the night, helping to regulate the building's temperature. Heat absorbing surfaces, heat distribution, and aperture control mechanisms may also contribute to the overall thermal performance of a building, but thermal mass is specifically designed for energy storage and release.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true for direct gain systems (heating only) ?&#10;A) Prevents UV damage to interior spaces.&#10;B) Provides light to interior spaces.&#10;C) Maximum heat occurs during the overnight hours.&#10;D) Comparatively expensive.

Accepted Answer

Direct gain systems allow sunlight to enter a building directly, providing natural light to interior spaces. This is a fundamental aspect of their design, aimed at utilizing solar energy for heating and lighting purposes.

Question 3

A single building will utilize a single passive solar system.

Accepted Answer

A single building can incorporate multiple passive solar systems, such as a direct gain system, a trombe wall, and a thermal mass system.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true for sunspaces?&#10;A) Living space receives direct sunlight.&#10;B) They cannot be added after the building is complete.&#10;C) Can serve as a greenhouse.&#10;D) They can be used only in warm weather climates.

Accepted Answer

Sunspaces can serve as a greenhouse, allowing for the growth of plants and vegetables. The other options are not necessarily true, as living space may or may not receive direct sunlight, sunspaces can be added after the building is complete, and they can be used in any climate with proper design and insulation.

Question 5

Which of the following would be a good example of control mechanism used in passive solar design?&#10;A) Concrete&#10;B) Landscaping&#10;C) Vents or ducts&#10;D) Interior doors

Accepted Answer

Landscaping can be used to control the amount of sunlight that enters a building, which can help to regulate the temperature inside.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true for thermosiphon including vented Trombe wall (heating or cooling) ?&#10;A) Cooling occurs only during the night.&#10;B) Offers natural ventilation&#10;C) Cannot utilize evaporative cooling.&#10;D) Does not require a cool air source.

Accepted Answer

Thermosiphon including vented Trombe wall offers natural ventilation.

Question 7

On the solstices, the sun's rays are perpendicular to the equator, and someone residing on the equator would see the midday sun directly overhead.

Accepted Answer

During the solstices, the sun's rays are perpendicular to the Tropic of Cancer (around June 21) or the Tropic of Capricorn (around December 21), not the equator. On the equator, the sun is directly overhead only during the equinoxes (around March 21 and September 23).

Question 8

A(n) _____ system is the simplest type of passive solar design.&#10;A) direct gain&#10;B) indirect gain&#10;C) sunspace&#10;D) isolated

Accepted Answer

A direct gain system is the simplest type of passive solar design because it involves allowing sunlight to enter a space through windows or other openings, absorbing and storing the heat in the thermal mass of the building, and then slowly releasing the heat back into the space as needed. Indirect gain systems involve using a separate thermal mass or heat storage system to collect and distribute the heat, while sunspaces and isolated systems are more complex variations of passive solar design.

Question 9

Passive solar homes are _____ structures designed to make internal spaces comfortable.&#10;A) energy-efficient&#10;B) minimally insulated&#10;C) high-embodied energy&#10;D) specific-design

Accepted Answer

Passive solar homes are designed to use natural solar energy to heat and cool interior spaces, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. This design includes energy-efficient features such as large, south-facing windows, thermal mass, and proper insulation to maximize the use of natural light and heat.

Question 10

A(n) _____ collects and stores solar energy during the day and releases it gradually to the interior during the night.&#10;A) solar chimney&#10;B) internal partition wall&#10;C) thermosiphon&#10;D) thermal storage wall

Accepted Answer

A thermal storage wall collects and stores solar energy during the day and releases it gradually to the interior during the night.

Question 11

In any climate, low-E (low-emissivity) coatings on windows are beneficial whenever buildings themselves are conditioned, either by heating or by cooling.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In any climate, low-E (low-emissivity) coatings on...

Question 12

For direct gain homes, spaces illuminated by sunlight are bright and warm and tend to include kitchens, bedrooms, and stairways located on the south side of the house.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For direct gain homes, spaces illuminated by...

Question 13

Passive solar design utilizes seasonal changes in the path of the sun to create structures that are heated (and sometimes cooled) by natural means.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Passive solar design utilizes seasonal changes in...

Question 14

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter sun is _____ in the sky, and its light is almost entirely from the _____ .&#10;A) high; north of the east-west line&#10;B) relatively high; south&#10;C) low; north of the east-west line&#10;D) relatively low; south

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter sun...

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true for an unvented Trombe wall (heating only) ?&#10;A) Moderates daily temperature swings.&#10;B) Useful for spaces where direct light is desirable.&#10;C) Allows visual connection to outdoors.&#10;D) Maximum heating occurs during the day.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements is true...

Deck 3: Passive Solar Design