Physical Geography Exam Questions Flashcards
Explain one factor, other then ocean currents that affects the seasonal variation of temperature in the northern hemisphere. 3 marks
Land sea distribution could be part of another explanation with different thermal capacities of the land and sea. The sea heats more slowly in the summer then the land but retains the heat in the winter more then the land.
Explain how water affects the movement of material on slopes . 5 marks
Reduces internal strength
Lubricate the land
Freeze thaw
Overland flow
Water induced weathering
Describe how drainage density is measured. 3 marks
Total River or stream length/ drainage basin area
Briefly explain how velocity affects erosion in a river. 4 marks
Higher velocities make a higher rate of erosion
Most erosion takes place in bank full conditions
The hjulstrom curve shows that for particles which are the size of sand and above , the higher the velocity , the more likely it is that larger particles are being entrained and eroded.
Define the terms sublimation and convection . 4 marks
The process of changing from a gas to a solid without going through the liquid phase
The upward movement of air caused as a result of surface heating
Describe how clouds form. 3 marks
Upward movement of air
Minute water droplets/ ice crystals maintained in atmosphere by slight upward movement
Cooling of rising unsaturated air leasing to condensation at the dew point
With tiny particles acting as the nuclei for the condensation to form on
Define the terms hydration and carbonation. 4 marks
Minerals absorbing water and leasing to expansion
Rainwater absorbs Co2 to produce slightly acidic water which reacts with calcium carbonate/limestone resulting in calcium bicarbonate.
Briefly describe how rock type affects the rate of physical weathering. 3 marks
Different rates of porosity
Different rates of permeability
Types of physical weathering
Factors of the diurnal energy budget
Incoming solar radiation, outgoing radiation, reflected solar radiation, absorption, sensible heat transfer, sensible heat transfer, latent heat transfer, albedo, day or night.
Describe the formation of ocean trenches. 8 marks.
Formed at plate convergent zones by the denser oceanic plate being subducted under a less dense plate or continental plate.
They are transform plates and the movement is caused by convection currents.
The subducting plate is dragged downward and the movement leads to the down warping of the non subducting plate creating a deep ocean trench
Facts- 10km deep , steep, arc shaped, long and narrow
