P.1 of 4
Section A1 :
Climatic System : Energy budget
Atmospheric moisture
Atmospheric circulation
World climates
Paper I :
Energy
Budget
88
89
90
91
92
1
2
2
2
1
Atm.
Moisture
2
Atm.
Circulation
World
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
4
1
2
1
4
4
1
3
00
01
02
03
2
4
3
3
2
4
4
climates
Paper II :
03#2:
02#
01#2 :
00#2 :
99#2 :
98#3 :
97#1 :
96#3 :
95#1 :
94#1 :
93#1 :
92#1 :
91#1 :
90#2 :
89#2 :
88#1 :
Radiation budget : earth’s surface + gases + clouds  T + human act.  atm. composition
 radiation budget
Monsoon : spatial extent + formation + impact on weather and farming activities in S. China
Natural + man-induced climatic changes on a local, regional + global scale
Compare TRF + Tundra’ ppt + T & the role of insolation + atmospheric circulation
Spatial patterns of climatic regions with extreme energy supplies + e.g. +modification by man
Monsoon + seasonal climatic variations with air masses + associated hazards
Atmospheric cooling processes leading to condensation + formation or precipitation
Influence of latitudinal energy budget on atmospheric circulation + elements not covered by
traditional circulation models
Climate in the tropics + local variations
Atmospheric stability in relation to lapse rates + katabatic winds
Diagram : atmospheric energy budget  Climatic in TRF
Water cycle + conditions leading to condensation + reasons for frequent condensation in H.K.
Main forms of precipitation + formation of precipitation + relative importance in TD
Influence of atmospheric circulation and surface wind systems on moisture availability in TD
Mechanisms of heat transfer + two atmospheric features to show their relative importance
3
P.2 of 4
Past exam questions :
2003#2: With reference to the Earth’s radiation budget, explain how the Earth’s surface, atmospheric
gases and clouds influence surface air temperature. Discuss how the spatial variation of
economic activities has affected the Earth’s radiation budget through changing the
composition of the atmosphere. Illustrate your answer with examples.
2002# :
2001#2 : Geographers commonly use the term “monsoon Asia” to refer to a region in Asia with
seasonal shifts of wind patterns.
Describe the spatial extent of the monsoons over the Asian continent and explain how they
are formed. Discuss the impacts of monsoons on the weather and farming activities in
South China.
2000#2 : The Earth’s climate has never been static. Some scholars have realized that the climate has
changed radically along with increasing development of the earth. and that the impacts are
evident at local, regional and global scales.
From what evidence do we know that the Earth’s climate is ever changing ? With reference
to examples, explain how human activities are responsible for climatic changes at local,
regional and global scales and evaluate the relative importance of these activities to the
natural forces.
P.3 of 4
99#2 :
With reference to specific examples, compare and contrast the temperature and precipitation
characteristics of the equatorial and the polar areas. Explain the importance of insolation
and atmospheric circulation in determining these climatic characteristics.
98#3 :
Describe and explain the spatial patterns of climatic regions with extreme atmospheric energy
supplies. Illustrating your answer with examples, discuss how atmospheric energy flow may
be modified by human activities.
97#1
Describe the conditions and processes producing the monsoon system, With examples in a
monsoon region, explain the seasonal climatic variations with air masses. Comment on the
associated potential natural hazards faced by the people in this region.
96#3
Describe the atmospheric cooling processes leading to condensation. Explain why such
processes alone may not result in precipitation. Illustrate your answer with examples.
95#1
Describe and explain how the latitudinal energy budget influences the general circulation of
the atmosphere. Discuss those elements of the general circulation which may not be
adequately covered by the traditional circulation models.
94#1
Regional variations in the amount, intensity, and seasonal distribution of climatic elements,
as determined by the climatic controls, create a pattern of earth climates.
Describe and explain how the thermal and precipitation regimes characterize the climate of
any one distinctive landscape within the tropics. What and how are the modifying factors
which may produce local climatic variations in the landscape you have chosen ?
P.4 of 4
93#1
Explain how the stability of the atmosphere is determined by the various lapse rates of
temperature and assess the role of atmospheric moisture in affecting that stability. With
reference to katabatic winds, describe how the stability if the atmosphere is affected by other
physical factors.
92#1
With the aid of a diagram, describe the processes of the atmospheric energy budget.
the influence of the energy budget on the climate of tropical rainforests.
Discuss
91#1
Outline the flow of water in the atmosphere. Discuss the conditions leading to condensation.
Why does this process frequently occur in Hong Kong ?
90#2
Describe the main forms of precipitation, and explain the main processes at work in their
formation. Assess the relative importance of these processes in desert landscapes.
89#2
General atmospheric circulation and surface wind systems are important means of moisture
transfer. With reference to tropical desert landscapes, describe and explain the influence of
these two factors on moisture availability.
88#1
Describe the mechanisms of heat transfer. Explain why heat transfer takes place in the
earth-atmosphere system. Evaluate the relative importance of the mechanisms of heat
transfer with reference to not more than two atmospheric features.