Highways and roads freeze before ramps and bridges.
Answers
True
False
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Answer: False
Highways and roads generally do not freeze before ramps and bridges. In fact, ramps and bridges tend to freeze before highways and roads because they are more exposed to air on both sides, making them cool down and lose heat faster than roads that are embedded in the ground.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Roads vs. Bridges: Regular roads are constructed with layers of soil and asphalt, which provide insulation from the cold air below the surface. The ground beneath the roads retains heat, which slows down the cooling process. In contrast, bridges are elevated structures with air circulating both above and below the surface. Because there is no ground beneath them to provide thermal insulation, they cool off more rapidly, causing them to freeze faster.
- Freezing Process: When the temperature drops to around 32°F (0°C) or lower, water on the surface of roads or bridges will freeze. Since bridges lose heat more quickly due to exposure to air, frost and ice tend to form there first, even if the ambient temperature is above freezing. This can create hazardous conditions for drivers, especially in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lowest.
- Practical Implications: This phenomenon is why you often hear warnings about icy conditions on bridges and overpasses even if roads elsewhere are still relatively safe. Drivers should be especially cautious when approaching elevated roadways, ramps, and bridges in cold weather, as they are more likely to be icy.
Thus, the correct statement is that ramps and bridges freeze before highways and roads, not the other way around.