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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
1. Building orientation could not be determined before the advent of detailed satellite imaging.
a.
True
b.
False
2. Solar collectors cannot use infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths because they are diffuse.
a.
True
b.
False
3. The intensity of solar radiation remains constant outside Earth’s atmosphere.
a.
True
b.
False
4. Diffuse solar radiation is the reason we see the sky.
a.
True
b.
False
5. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provides easily accessible data on solar radiation for south-facing vertical
surfaces.
a.
True
b.
False
Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
6. What angle describes the tilt of Earth relative to its orbital plane?
a.
declination angle
b.
inclination angle
c.
deviation angle
d.
solar azimuth angle
7. Why is solar time different from clock time?
a.
Clock time was developed prior to solar time and the two do not agree.
b.
The sun’s declination angle varies within a time zone.
c.
Latitude varies within a time zone.
d.
Longitude varies within a time zone.
8. Why can compass needles be misaligned with reference to the true north/south line?
a.
Some error is introduced by the time of year.
b.
Earth’s declination angle varies by location on the surface.
c.
Earth’s magnetic field is not always aligned parallel with its polar axis.
d.
Earth’s magnetic field varies with declination angle.
9. Which diagram aids in determining the sun’s position in the sky?
a.
sun path diagram
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b.
declination angle diagram
c.
solar chart
d.
position angle chart
10. Which classic instrument for determining shading potential was developed in 1978?
a.
SolarSpy
b.
Shadefinder
c.
Solar Pathfinder
d.
Sun Eye 210
11. What type of chart is used to obtain the deviation of a magnetic compass needle from true north?
a.
isogonic
b.
isometric
c.
sun path
d.
azimuth angle
12. Which tool, developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, helps visualize the motion of the sun across the sky
dome?
a.
Sky Pathfinder
b.
Motions of the Sun Simulator
c.
Azimuth Change Simulator
d.
Earth’s Angle Simulator
13. What drove the ancient Greeks and Romans to pursue passive solar architecture?
a.
need for cooking heat
b.
depletion of firewood
c.
frequent cloud cover
d.
interest in the stars and sun gods
14. Approximately when is the vernal equinox?
a.
January 20
b.
March 20
c.
June 21
d.
September 21
15. Which is NOT a unit of surface total radiation?
a.
kWh/m2/day
b.
Btu/ft2/day
c.
kWh/m/day
d.
Btu/ft2/month
16. The first use of solar energy for domestic water heating took place in the ____.
a.
1750
b.
early 1800s
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c.
late 1800s
d.
mid-1900s
17. At what time of day is the sun highest in the sky and directly above a true north/south line?
a.
noon
b.
solar noon
c.
summer solstice
d.
summer equinox
18. Which is NOT a type of solar radiation?
a.
infrared
b.
direct
c.
diffuse
d.
inclined
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