Step 1: Understanding a "Well-Baked Brick"
A well-baked brick is one fired at high temperatures (900–1200°C) in a kiln, ensuring strength and durability. The color depends on the clay composition and firing conditions, with iron oxides typically influencing the hue. This is a key topic in architectural materials for NATA exams.
Step 2: Evaluating Each Option
Option 1: Red
Explanation: Red is a common color for well-baked bricks due to the oxidation of iron in clay during firing. It’s the standard for many traditional bricks, but it’s a specific shade rather than a broad category.
Conclusion: Incorrect (as a general color term, though valid for many bricks).
Option 2: Orange
Explanation: Orange can occur in underfired bricks or those with specific clay, but a well-baked brick typically achieves a deeper, more stable color. This is less representative of the standard outcome.
Conclusion: Incorrect.
Option 3: Black
Explanation: Black results from overfiring or burning, indicating a poorly baked brick or a specialized process. It’s not typical for a well-baked brick.
Conclusion: Incorrect.
Option 4: Terracotta
Explanation: Terracotta is a term for a fired clay material, often reddish-brown, used in bricks, tiles, and pottery. A well-baked terracotta brick exhibits a rich, earthy color (typically reddish to brownish tones), which aligns with the appearance of properly fired bricks. While "terracotta" can refer to the material, in this context, it’s reasonable to interpret it as the characteristic color range of a well-baked brick, making it a fitting answer.
Conclusion: Correct.
Step 3: Final Answer
The color of a well-baked brick is Terracotta (Option 4). This reflects the earthy, reddish-brown hue typical of well-fired clay bricks in architectural use.
Which of the following tasks is NOT a part of the job of an architect?