Chapter 9 Weather and climate

Mark scheme

AS questions on page 256

Question Mark

1

a

Simple identification of gas envelope, layering, + e.g. gas or depth.

3

 

b

2 separate accounts 1 or 2 marks. 2 marks for specific contrast statement.

4
 

c

Identification of solar energy input + 1 mark for developments e.g. amounts/cascade factors.

4

  d

2 + 2 (CO2 = warming, clouds reflect both insolation & terrestrial re-radiation).

4
  e

Effect on specified solar inputs & implications for health etc.

5
  f

Up to 2 marks for controls on ozone depleting chemicals (+ 1 for named chemical) 2 marks for changes to lifestyles/protection.

5

 

Question Mark
2

a i

Seasonal warmth/cooling + increased humidity in affected areas; 1 mark for exemplification.

4
 

ii

3 max for explanation of each of windward side and leeward side.

6

 

b

Adret & Ubac explanation (terms not required or credited) related to land use variations. Allow 2 max for specific contrasts noted.

6
 

c

1 mark per valid point (contrast with effects of a clear sky valid both sides).

4
 

d

Level I long days, high sun.

1 - 2

   

Level II Effects of the day length - in terms of insolation & angle of incidence of sun. Short night with terrestrial re-radiation also valid. Accept that these are differences.

3 - 5


A2 questions on page 256

Question Mark

3

a i

Mark for each correct 'pause' identified by temperature change in the correct direction. Pressure steep decline curve. Keep 2 marks for pressure changes.

6

 

ii

Identification of each reduction in insolation in %.

6
 

b i

Any of earth only figures, atmosphere only figures, &/or combined figures may be used. Explanation 4 + 2 max for quantified data from table.

6

  ii

Level I Identification of wind/ocean current as a mechanism

1 - 3
   

Level II Use of specific e.g. (e.g. a named ocean current) or mechanism for heat transfer into the air.

4 - 7

 

Question Mark

4

a

Level I Reduction at different stages identified with little explanation.

1 - 3

 

 

Level II Quantification of % loss & transfer, explanation is mainly by association (e.g. 'because clouds are white').

4 - 8
 

Level III Sequence of transfer & loss complete with explanation. based on density of atmosphere etc.

9 - 10

 

b

4 max each (in each case keep 2 marks for 'importance' specifically).

10
  c

Heat transfer mechanisms identified.

5

 

Question Mark

5

a

Identification of equipment, 2 max; recognition of time difficulty (all at once), explanation of use of equipment & recording method.

7

 

b

Level I One or more reason related only to conditions in urban area or not linked to either location (e.g. tarmac heat reservoir).

1 - 3

 

 

Level II One or more explanation/s has a direct link to location (e.g. more tarmac in urban areas …) reasons by 'association'.

4 - 8

 

 

Level III Two good level II responses can achieve low III or developed response making direct reference to situation in both urban and rural areas in a developed explanation.

9 - 10
  c Problems include:- stronger winds, increased fog, pollution dome, etc. 4 max (include 1 mark for identification of a problem) for either choice. 8

 

AS questions on page 257

Question Mark
6

a

Transfer system sea/land or surface/air with exemplification.

4

  b

Level I Transfers out = transfers in + sources of each.

1 - 3
 

 

Level II Addition of amount of water cycle over sea areas & other developments.

4 - 6
  c Cause of rise = 1, expansion cooling = 1, condensation of water vapour = 1, accretion of solid/liquid in cloud = 1 & drop = 1 6
  d

Level I amount of water in air.

1 - 2
   

Level II Developed to be absolute, specific or relative humidity.

3 - 4
  e

3 max annotated diagram /other description of hygrometer + 3 max explanation of use. To five max.

5

 

Question Mark

7

Point mark throughout

 

 

a

Identification of information sources 1 mark each.

4
  b i

High winds & heavy rain from a depression in the Channel.

3
  ii

Wave on cold front deepened to 958mbs + steep pressure gradient.

3
  iii North to 'Lands End' by 0000h and then NE across Southern England to be located in North Sea by 0600h. 4
  iv

Winds to 50kph by 0030h, rising to 100kph on channel coast by 0500h, heavy rain, followed by much less strong winds as the depression passed.

4
  v 1 mark for each chosen effect 3
  c

2 max for each explanation

4

 

Question Mark

8

a i

Identification of shape, height, associated weather.

3

 

ii

Identification of shape, height, associated weather.

3
  b

Diagram identifying onshore wind, land higher, & therefore rising windward air 3 marks; written explanation 4 max.

7
  c

Point marked advection fog explanation.

6
  d

4 max radiation fog explanation + 2 max for smoke input into it.

6

 

Question Mark

9

a

1 basic mark + 1 for development (*3).

6

 

b i

1 mark for meaning of initials + change with height in still air.

4
  ii

Read from graph (dew point level)

1
  iii

Definition of dew point

4
  iv

Name & identified as unstable

2
  v

Allow 1 for 0°C: Extension from 0°C to height of unstable air for 2nd mark.

2
  c

Response must refer to the stability of the air for level II

 
   

Level I Relevant weather conditions identified (1 mark each).

1 - 3
   

Level II Relationship to rising/stable air.

4 - 6

 

A2 questions on page 257

Question Mark

10

a

Level I Two separate accounts or definitions

1 - 3

 

Level II Account combined to directly show differences

4 - 8

  b

Point mark Air rises, expands, cools (adiabatically) RH increases, reaches 90+%, water vapour condenses, forming cloud & ppt. in text or on diagram. Do not 'double count' but diagram may show relationships not in text.

10
  c

Point mark causes of radiation fog rising to low cloud.

7

 

Question Mark
11

a

1 mark for the meaning of the abbreviation ITCZ

 

   

Level I (a i) ITCZ = Rising heated air mass at the equator; (a ii) qualitative (e.g. 'hot & wet all year') answer and (a iii) described without explanation.

1 & 1 - 3
 

 

Level II (a i) Role of warming trade winds developed (into warmer areas thus warm rise ….) (a ii) one to three quantified statistics for the climate = 1 L II credit and daily weather sequence described (a iii) role of movement of the heat equator probably by 'association'.

4 - 8
 

Level III (a i) Both (converging) trade winds included in the explanation, (a iii) seasonal movement linked to apparent movement of the overhead sun.

9 - 13
  b Level I Description of Jet air movement and locations. 1 - 3
    Level II Upper air pressure linked to lower level pressure pattern (converse). 4 - 8
    Level III Weather associated with the lower air conditions & linked to movement of the upper air jet 'waves'. 9 - 12

 

Question Mark
12

Credit each situation separately to 9 max with 4 max for description of weather in the 'contrasting locations' = 3 *9 to 25 max.

25

 

Question Mark
13

a

Point marked with 4 max for any one source area or any one required characteristic.

10

  b

Level I Simple description of weather (rising winds, eye, declining winds), little explanation.

1 - 3
 

 

Level II Sequence of weather identified showing differences in front & behind eye. Simple explanation.

4 - 8
 

Level III Explanation developed from 'engine' of latent heat.

9 - 10
  c

3 max for any one response - includes weather watch & notification system and response to actual storm.

5

 

Question Mark
14

a i

Axes numbered & labelled = 1; Dew point identified; DALR to dew point SALR above dew point; three plots start at 10°C mark for temperature at 2000m.

7

  ii

1 mark each

3
 

iii

Where Air stream 3 crosses SALR (750m)

1
  b

Difference between low level & higher level cooling & relationship to environmental air temperature.

6
  c i

Stationary air body conditions develop from surface upwards, air takes on surface conditions.

4
  ii Moving air mass conditions change from surface thus gives different ELR between lower & upper air. 4

 

AS questions on page 258

Question Mark
15

a

1 mark for the name of any individual component of the low pressure system. 2 marks for 'depression' or 'cyclone' or 'low pressure system'.

2

  b

Point mark each component of the weather station symbol.

4
 

c

Level I Point mark 'Warm','Front'.

2
 

Level II Development suggesting the separation of warm and cooler air and direction of movement.

3
  d

Point mark - location by name of a place, or country, coast & compass direction etc.

2
  e i Level I Identification of the aspects of the situation from (figure 9.82). 0 - 3
    Level II Changes from one situation leading to the other described. 4 - 6
  ii Level I Identification that a weather system moves and the weather from one location is experienced later elsewhere. 0 - 3
    Level II Reasons for the changes in terms of the changing frontal pattern over the area. 4 - 6

 

A2 questions on page 258

Question Mark
16

a

Level I Identification of individual weather descriptions from either or both times.

0 - 3

   

Level II Direct reference made to changes (e.g. both sides of a weather aspect).

4 - 8
 

b

Level I Identification of the shift in location to a new location and possible naming of the new frontal system (occlusion).

0 - 3
 

Level II Changes to the system (causes of an occlusion) and the relationship between warmer & colder sectors.

4 - 8
  c

Level I Identification of the location/s and type/s of precipitation.

0 - 3
    Level II IDescription of distribution in terms of pattern of locations. Explanation of showery air stream. 4 - 8
    Level III Identification of the instability in a NW air stream as the cause of precipitation. 9

 

Question Mark
17

a

Mark (i) & (ii) as one response.

 

   

Level I Identification of atmospheric pressure and possibly units for measuring it or name of equipment. In (ii) a name is presented for the pressure system

0 - 3
 

 

Level II Description of a measuring device for pressure with suggestion how it works. In (ii) identification of the major pressure systems on fig 9.83

4 - 8
 

Level III Device explained in terms of pressure effects and mechanisms. In (ii) the relationships between isobar patterns and the identified pressure systems made clear.

9 - 10
  b

Level I Names for one or more of the two frontal systems, and for identifying which is which.

0 - 3
    Level II Development to show the third dimension relationship indicated by one or both of the frontal systems. 4 - 8
  c Level I Indication of the relationship between synoptic situations and the later weather. 0 - 3
    Level II Importance of direction of air flow and other aspects of weather from a chart for use in forecasting weather at a later time made clear. Examples of the use of the system from Fig 9.82 and 9.83 used in the discussion. 4 - 7

 

Question Mark
18

Credit each sector of the depression separately to 9 max with 4 max for description of weather = 3 * 9 to 25 max.

25