A Level H1 Geography Physical Geography Quiz

Answer Key - A-Level Geography H1 Quiz (Physical Geography)

Section A: Climate Systems and Tropical Cyclones

1. Albedo (4m): Definition: The proportion of solar radiation reflected by a surface. Role: Ice has high albedo; as it melts, darker ocean/land (low albedo) absorbs more heat, leading to further melting (positive feedback loop).
2. Conditions (6m): SST $\ge 26.5^\circ\text{C}$ (energy source), atmospheric instability (rising air), high humidity/moisture, low wind shear (to maintain structure), and Coriolis force (for rotation).
3. Dissipation (4m): Loss of energy source (warm ocean water) and increased surface friction from land features, which disrupts the cyclone's wind structure.
4. Coriolis Force (5m): The Coriolis effect is zero at the equator. Without this force, the air cannot be deflected to create the rotational vortex necessary for a cyclone.
5. HIC vs LIC (8m): HICs: Higher economic loss (infrastructure) but lower death tolls due to better early warning and building codes. LICs: Higher death tolls due to poor housing, lack of evacuation plans, and higher vulnerability.
6. SST and Intensity (6m): Higher SST increases evaporation rates $\rightarrow$ more latent heat released during condensation $\rightarrow$ stronger updrafts and lower central pressure $\rightarrow$ higher wind speeds.
7. Timing (8m): Timing (e.g., night vs day, or during a festival/holiday) affects evacuation efficiency and the number of people exposed. Seasonal timing (e.g., during harvest) affects economic recovery.

Section B: Hydrological Processes and Flooding

8. Infiltration vs Percolation (4m): Infiltration is the downward entry of water from the surface into the soil. Percolation is the deeper movement of water through the soil and rock layers.
9. Vegetation and Lag Time (6m): Interception by canopy $\rightarrow$ slower delivery to ground $\rightarrow$ increased infiltration $\rightarrow$ slower throughflow $\rightarrow$ increases lag time (flattens hydrograph).
10. Flash vs River Flood (5m): Flash floods: Rapid onset, high intensity, often caused by thunderstorms or urban surfaces. River floods: Slower onset, larger scale, caused by prolonged rainfall or snowmelt.
11. Soil Saturation (6m): When soil pores are full (saturated), infiltration capacity drops to zero. All subsequent rainfall becomes surface runoff (Horton overland flow), increasing flood risk.
12. Topography (6m): Steeper slopes $\rightarrow$ gravity accelerates water movement $\rightarrow$ less time for infiltration $\rightarrow$ faster delivery to channel $\rightarrow$ higher and sharper peak discharge.
13. Human Activities (8m): Deforestation: Removes interception and root uptake $\rightarrow$ increases runoff. Urbanization: Replaces permeable soil with impermeable concrete $\rightarrow$ increases surface runoff.
14. Hard vs Soft Engineering (10m): Hard: Immediate, high protection, but expensive and can disrupt downstream flow. Soft: Sustainable, cheaper, improves biodiversity, but takes longer to implement and may not stop extreme events.

Section C: Climate Change and Environmental Interaction

15. Evidence (4m): (Any two) Rising global mean temperatures, retreating glaciers/ice sheets, rising sea levels, or shifts in flowering seasons (phenology).
16. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect (6m): GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O) trap outgoing long-wave radiation in the atmosphere, increasing the heat retained. Primary gases: Carbon dioxide (fossil fuels), Methane (agriculture/landfills).
17. Extreme Weather (6m): Warming oceans provide more energy for cyclones; altered jet streams cause prolonged heatwaves or cold snaps; increased evaporation leads to more intense precipitation.
18. SIDS Challenges (8m): Limited land area for retreat, high economic dependence on tourism/fishing (both threatened), lack of financial resources for massive sea walls, saltwater intrusion into freshwater lenses.
19. Mitigation vs Adaptation (8m): Mitigation: Reducing causes (e.g., switching to solar power). Adaptation: Adjusting to effects (e.g., building houses on stilts).
20. Collective vs Tech (12m): Argument for Collective: GHGs are global pollutants; one country's effort is negated by another's emissions (Paris Agreement). Argument for Tech: Breakthroughs in carbon capture or fusion could solve the problem regardless of policy. Conclusion: Tech provides the tools, but collective policy provides the scale for implementation.