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O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/23 · May/June 2011 · Q730 Marks

A class of students was studying weather measurements using a Stevenson Screen which contained a maximum-minimum thermometer and a wet and dry bulb thermometer (hygrometer). They were recording weather measurements throughout the year. A Stevenson Screen and maximum-minimum thermometer are shown in Figs 13 and 14 below and opposite.

  1. (a)(i)Complete the three sentences on Fig. 13. Screen is painted white so that .......... Screen stands 121cm above the ground so that .......... Slides are made of wooden slats with air space between so that ..........[3]
  2. (a)(ii)What is the maximum and minimum temperature recorded on the thermometer shown in Fig. 14 (opposite)? Maximum .......... °C Minimum .......... °C[2]
  3. (b)(i)A wet and dry bulb thermometer measures relative humidity. Which one of the following is the correct definition of relative humidity? Circle your answer. • The amount of water vapour held in the air. • The percentage of moisture in the air after rainfall. • The amount of moisture in the air as a percentage of the total moisture it could hold at that temperature. • The minimum amount of water vapour in the air when it is warmed up.[1]
  4. (b)(ii)Use the relative humidity table in Fig. 15 (Insert) to calculate the relative humidity of the example below: Dry bulb temperature = 19°C Wet bulb temperature = 18°C Temperature difference = .......... °C Relative Humidity = .......... %[2]
  5. (c)(i)What are two advantages of this digital thermometer and hygrometer over a maximum-minimum thermometer and a wet and dry bulb thermometer? 1 2[2]
  6. (c)(ii)How could the students check that their temperature and relative humidity readings were accurate?[2]
  7. (d)(i)Use Fig. 17 (Insert) to complete Table 1 by filling in the distance of site D from the edge of the nearest building.[1]
  8. (d)(ii)On Table 1 circle the three sites where the highest temperatures were recorded.[1]
  9. (d)(iii)Do you think Hypothesis 1: Temperatures are higher nearer to buildings is correct? Support your answer with evidence from Table 1.[3]
  10. (d)(iv)Use Fig. 17 (Insert) to suggest two reasons why temperatures vary around the school campus. 1 2[2]
  11. (e)(i)Plot the result of site G on the dispersion graph (Fig. 18) above.[1]
  12. (e)(ii)The average (mean) relative humidity for readings made on a concrete surface is shown below. Show the calculation which produced this answer. Answer: 75.3%[1]
  13. (e)(iii)Plot this answer on Fig. 18.[1]
  14. (e)(iv)The students reached the conclusion that Hypothesis 2: Relative humidity is affected by the type of ground surface was incorrect. Use evidence from Fig. 18 to support their conclusion.[3]
  15. (f)(i)Suggest a suitable hypothesis for the class to investigate using a maximum- minimum thermometer in a Stevenson Screen.[1]
  16. (f)(ii)Describe how the students would carry out an investigation into this hypothesis.[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2011). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [3] Screen is painted white so that it reflects heat/light/sun / reduces direct heating by the sun / heat is not absorbed Sides are made of wooden slats with air spaces between so that air can circulate round the thermometers / air can get in / ventilated / Screen stands 121 cm above the ground so that instruments are not affected by heat from the ground / takes temperature of the air 3 @ 1
  2. [2] 19-20 (°C) 7-8 (°C)
  3. [1] The amount of moisture in the air as a percentage of the total moisture it could hold at that temperature
  4. [2] Temperature difference = 1 (°C) Relative Humidity = 91(%) 2 @ 1
  5. [2] Give instant readings / don't have to work out answer / calculates percentage Easy / clear to read / large digital readout / hard to read thermometer / don't need to know how to read a thermometer / don't need to read off thermometer Exact figures / accurate Less chance of making mistake in reading / mis-reading Portable / can be used at more than one site Can download to computer Safer because no mercury 2 @ 1
  6. [2] Take more than one reading with different digital instrument Partner / other student checks readings are accurate Check result using traditional / normal thermometers (1 max)
  7. [1] 38-40(m)
  8. [1] Sites C, Ε, Η
  9. [3] Yes / hypothesis is correct / partially correct / temperatures are higher near buildings / temperatures are lower away from buildings (res) No = 0 Three highest recordings are all next to / within 3m of buildings (C, E, Η) Three lowest recordings are all far away / more than 30m from buildings Comparison between sites e.g. Site (E) at 1 m is 8.9 °C but site (F) at 17m is 8.2 °C Alternatively highest temp (at C) which is near buildings / lowest (at M) which is furthest from buildings – 1 max More than 20 m away temperatures are below 8.3 °C Anomaly (e.g. B is within 3 m but lower temperature than other sites) – must say why it is an anomaly – 1 max Wrong unit of measurement = 0 No unit of measurement – accept figure
  10. [2] Buildings / tarmac / concrete absorb / store heat from sun or internal heating system / buildings radiate heat for small distance around them Aspect / south facing / north facing / faces sun Funnelling effect of buildings Sun: shade from sun/ shade by trees / buildings Wind: Shelter from wind / exposure to wind / shelter by trees/ buildings Different types of surface / e.g. some on grass and concrete 2 @ 1
  11. [1] Plot on Fig. 6 75 next to water
  12. [1] 73 + 76 + 77 (or 226) / 3
  13. [1] Plot at 75.3 on concrete axis
  14. [3] Small range in variation / same relative humidity over campus / across different surface / no pattern Variation from 73–77 / 4 % difference for all six surfaces / all sites / average percentages vary from 74.7-75.3 e.g. 73% in grass, concrete, trees, tarmac (any 2 types) – 1 max e.g. concrete RH percentages of 73, 76, 77 (any 2 readings) – 1 max
  15. [1] Hypothesis such as: Temperatures vary over specific time period e.g. throughout the year or between two specific months [January & July], over week
  16. [4] Ideas such as: Measure maximum and/or minimum temperature Method of measuring by using thermometer – pointer, magnet, – 2 max When readings are made – daily / weekly / monthly How readings are recorded – table / data sheet Present using line / bar graph Do analysis and / or conclusion / evaluation

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About this question

Topic
The natural environment, O-Level Geography (syllabus 2217). Structured question, 30 marks.
Source
O-Level Geography, May/June 2011 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 7.

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