Test Your Knowledge
This short quiz gets students thinking about what they already know, as well as what questions they might have during the live field trip. Display the interactive quiz in the Teach section, share the quiz link, or print the questions below for use in class.
Quiz Questions
For your reference, we have listed the questions below, as well as some complementary information and sources.
Question 1
What is rebar?
Answer: Steel bars placed inside concrete to keep heavy structures from cracking under tension. Fun Fact: "Rebar" is short for reinforcing bar. While concrete is great at resisting compression (being squeezed), it snaps easily under tension (being pulled apart). Rebar provides that missing tensile strength, giving concrete its structural superpower! Source
Answer: Steel bars placed inside concrete to keep heavy structures from cracking under tension. Fun Fact: "Rebar" is short for reinforcing bar. While concrete is great at resisting compression (being squeezed), it snaps easily under tension (being pulled apart). Rebar provides that missing tensile strength, giving concrete its structural superpower! Source
Question 2
What percentage of modern construction rebar comes from recycled scrap metal like old cars and appliances?
Answer: Up to 98%. Fun Fact: Almost all steel rebar in North America is made by melting down old cars, rusted beams, and junked appliances in electric arc furnaces. Source
Answer: Up to 98%. Fun Fact: Almost all steel rebar in North America is made by melting down old cars, rusted beams, and junked appliances in electric arc furnaces. Source
Question 3
How does a control center track the exact location of a driverless train down to the centimeter?
Answer: High-tech radio sensors along the track talk constantly to onboard computers (CBTC). Fun Fact: Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) continuously transmits position, speed, and braking data via trackside radio antennas every fraction of a second! Source
Answer: High-tech radio sensors along the track talk constantly to onboard computers (CBTC). Fun Fact: Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) continuously transmits position, speed, and braking data via trackside radio antennas every fraction of a second! Source
Question 4
When an electric train slows down as it enters a station, where does all that kinetic energy go?
Answer: "Regenerative braking" turns the motor into a generator, sending electricity back into the power grid. Fun Fact: Regenerative braking allows braking trains to generate electricity that instantly powers other nearby trains accelerating away from stations! Source
Answer: "Regenerative braking" turns the motor into a generator, sending electricity back into the power grid. Fun Fact: Regenerative braking allows braking trains to generate electricity that instantly powers other nearby trains accelerating away from stations! Source
Question 5
How do pilots flying long distances save fuel during their flight?
Answer: By riding high-altitude wind currents Fun Fact & Source: These high-altitude wind currents are called the "jet stream". Catching a 200 km/h jet stream tailwind can push a commercial airliner faster across the Atlantic Ocean while cutting fuel burn by thousands of liters! Source
Answer: By riding high-altitude wind currents Fun Fact & Source: These high-altitude wind currents are called the "jet stream". Catching a 200 km/h jet stream tailwind can push a commercial airliner faster across the Atlantic Ocean while cutting fuel burn by thousands of liters! Source