WS 1.3

Question 1

Name the 6 main characteristics of equatorial climate/ tropical humid climate.

Answer 1

—high temperature throughout the year
—small annual range of temperature; no summer or winter/ minimum seasonal variation
—annual rainfall is high
—rainfall is evenly distributed and there are no distinct wet and dry seasons
—relative humidity is high
—very light winds

Question 2

Explain why equatorial climates have high temperatures throughout the year.

Answer 2

This is because it is located close to the equator/ has a low latitude and receives a high sun angle, and hence, a high concentration of sunlight.

Question 3

Explain why equatorial climates have a small annual range of temperature with no summer or winter/ minimum seasonal variation.

Answer 3

This is because they receive overhead sun most of the time.

Question 4

Explain why the annual rainfall is high in equatorial climates.

Answer 4

This is because equatorial climates are found in areas with wet onshore winds and/ or high temperatures. These/ this factor(s) encourage the formation of dene, thick clouds, which in turn brings heavy rainfall.

Question 5

Explain why the relative humidity is high in equatorial climates.

Answer 5

This is because the areas in equatorial climates receive onshore winds that are full of moisture.

Question 6

Name the 4 main characteristics of tropical arid climate/ desert climate.

Answer 6

—very hot summer and cool (warm) winter with a high annual range of temperature
—fairly long summers and short winters
—low annual rainfall (scarce); a little bit more in summer months but in general, scarce and unreliable
—extremely high daily/ diurnal range of temeprature

Question 7

Explain two possibilities of why tropical arid climates have very hot summers and cool winters with a high annual range of temperature.

Answer 7

—because it is located at a low latitude
—receives a large sun angle and high concentration of sunlight
—because it is located in an inland area
—its land mass absorbs heat rapidly during summer, leading to the high summer temperature
—its land mass releases heat rapidly during winter, leading to the low winter temperature
—moreover, there is no sea breeze to moderate summer and winter temperatures

Question 8

Explain why three possible examples of why annual rainfall is low in tropical arid climates/ desert climates.

Answer 8

—rain shadow effect caused by tall mountain blocking onshore winds
—located at an inland location and receives dry offshore winds
—located on the western side of its continent
—the movement of the earth cause winds to blow from east to west between 20° and 30° north and south of the Equator, meaning that these winds blow away all of the moisture from the area

Question 9

Describe and explain why there is an extremely high daily/ diurnal range of temperature in tropical arid climates/ desert climates.

Answer 9

During the day in a desert, the temperature may reach 50°C, when at night it may fall to 20°C.
This is because there is no “blanketing effect” by clouds or vegetation. In the daytime, the cloudless sky allows the sun to heat up the ground quickly, and at night, the ground quickly loses heat because there is no clouds.

Question 10

What is the most common type of rain that falls in both tropical rainforests and tropical deserts? Why?

Answer 10

Convection rain; this is because they form on heated surfaces.

Question 11

Define the term saturation. When does it happen?

Answer 11

It is the state at which the relative humidity of air reaches 100%. This happens when the rising air cools and the moisture holding capacity reduces.

Question 12

Define the term “dew point”.

Answer 12

It shows the air temperature which saturation occurs.

Question 13

Define the term “condensation level”.

Answer 13

It shows the altitude (height) at which condensation occurs.

Question 14

Why can the cycle of convection rain continue for a while? When does it stop?

Answer 14

This is because when condensation occurs, heat is released and the surrounding air becomes warmer than its surroundings, causing it to continue to rise rapidly. This continues until the surrounding air becomes as cool as its surroundings.

Question 15

Where and when does convection rain commonly occur in? Why these two regions?

Answer 15

Tropical regions and continental interiors during summer. This is because both of these regions are quite hot.

Question 16

Which time period in a day does convection rain usually occur in? Why?

Answer 16

It usually occurs in the late afternoon when the convection current is the strongest. This is because although it is usually the hottest at noon, the environment needs time to heat up.

Question 17

The duration of convection rain is ______________. Why?

Answer 17

Short; This is because the whole process happens rapidly as the land is intensely heated by the sun.

Question 18

Convection rain usually involves _______________ and ________________________ clouds. Describe this type of cloud.

Answer 18

thunderstorms, cumulonimbus.

They are thick, towering clouds formed from strong convection currents and can be up to 1000m thick.

Question 19

When does convection rain occur in Hong Kong? Why?

Answer 19

In the afternoon in summer. This is because the ground will be heated intensely, giving rise to convection currents; thick clouds will then form and heavy, convection rain will fall.