TROPICAL DESIGN

QUESTION ANSWER KEY

Definition of terms:
1 The taking into consideration the building design w/c does not have any
sophisticated mechanical equipment in order to induce comfort conditions in
building interiors. Passive cooling
2 As the rays of the sun hit the earth's surface, which part of the earth receives the
most amount of radiation? The equator
3 Which part receives the lesser amount of radiation? The polar regions
4 The rotation of the earth deflects the air from its direct paths, this penomenon is
called? The Coriolis Force
5 With the north pole as point of reference, it will be observed that the rotation of
the earth is? Counter-clockwise
6 This word is derived from the Arabic word "mawsim" w/c means "season". Monsoon
7 A relatively persistent & mature cyclone observed to originate in the tropical
regions from about 5 degrees to 15 degrees north latitude. Typhoon
8 The time of year when the sun reaches its northernmost point on the celestial
sphere, marking the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere. Summer solstice
9 It approximately begins during this date. 6/21
10 The time of year when the sun reaches its southernmost point on the celestial
sphere, marking the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere. Winter solstice
11 It approximately begins during this date. 12/21
12 Either of the two times during the year when the sun crosses the plane of the
celestial equator & when the length of day & night are everywhere
approximately equal. Equinox
13 Vernal equinox or spring equinox usually occurs during this date. 3/21
14 Autumnal equinox usually occurs during ths date. 9/21

Characteristics of Monsoons in the Philippines:

15 This kind of weather recurs yearly during the summer months, characterized by
general cloudiness w/ drizzle or rain. Habagat
16 It is technically referred to as the_______________? Southwest monsoon
17 This kind of weather occurs during the winter months, characterized by heavy
stratocumulus clouds in the lower levels, associated w/ showers & occasional
heavy drizzles. Amihan
18 It is technically referred to as the ______________? Northeast monsoon
19 The winter monsoon usually first affects the Philippines as a weak stream during
what month? October
20 It usualIy attains maximum strength during what month? January
21 It gradually weakens during this month. March
22 It finally disappears during this month. April
23 The southwest monsoon is sometimes referred to as ___________________? Indian southwesterlies
24 The southwest monsoon first appears in the Philippines during what month? early May
25 It attains maximum intensity during this month. August
26 It gradually disappears during this month. October

Characteristics of Typhoons:
27 The part of the typhoon characterized by light winds & nearly clear sky. Eye of the typhoon
28 Around the eye is the pheripery of the typhoon extending as much as _______
 from the eye? 300 kilometers
29 The average typhoon has an average life span of _____________? more than a week

Cooling systems:
30 The type of cooling system that is already integrated in the building fabric. Passive cooling system
31 The type of cooling system that utilizes machines to heat or cool the structure. Active cooling system
32 This cooling system has an advantage of lower initial cost. Active cooling system
33 This cooling system makes use of orientation to enjoy maximum sun & wind. Passive cooling system
34 One disadvantage of this cooling system is of its maintenance cost. Active cooling system

Wind shadow:
35 Given the height of a well-foliaged tree (H), what is the approximate length of its
wind shadow. 2H (twice the height)
36 A row of closely spaced trees whose row is 4 times its height (4H), it can have a
wind shadow of ___? 3H (thrice the height)
37 If the length of a tree row is equal to 8 times its height (8H), its wind shadow can
be measured at approximately ___? 6H (six times the height)

Types of heat transmission:

38 The process in w/c heat energy is transferred from one vibrating molecule to the
one immediately adjacent to it w/o any relevant displace ment of the molecules. Conduction
39 The transfer of heat between a surface & a moving fluid or the transfer of heat
by movement of the moleculesfrom one point in a fluid to another. Convection
40 The transfer of heat through a space by electro-magnetic waves & is measured
as temperature at the surface of the material.