5. Water Tanks
Category – Science
The rooftop of Trouble’s home is surrounded by water tanks. In New York City, buildings over six stories tall feature these water tanks. The oldest ones are large wooden barrels. No glue is needed to seal the barrels since water saturates the wood and it swells to close any gaps between boards. These water towers allow people in tall buildings to shower and brush their teeth whenever they like.
Question –
· How do water towers work?
Assignment – Find the answer on the How Stuff Works website –
Click here to research the answer.
Scroll down to see an explanation. Even lower on the web page, you’ll find a picture of over thirty water towers atop Manhattan buildings.
Question –
· Nature’s skyscrapers are trees. They manage to get water all the way to the very top, sometimes 500 feet above ground. How do they do it? (Hint – capillary action can’t take water anywhere near that high).
Assignment – Read the explanation on the Wiki Answers website –
Click here to research the answer.
Fun Bonus Question –
· Can you find the billboard advertising Sign of the Rat in the illustration of Trouble’s rooftop view?