Theory question 204
ClimateUse the table below to answer the questions that follow
Months: J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, S, O, N, D
Rainfall (mm): 10, 80, 20, 18, 5, 50, 40, 40, 90, 20, 50, 40
(a) Calculate the: (i) annual rainfall; (ii) mean annual rainfall. (b) Name the instruments used in measuring the following weather elements: (i) pressure; (ii) sunshine; (iii) rainfall; (iv) temperature (c) Describe four effects of climate on agriculture.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) Annual rainfall = 10 + 80 + 20 + 18 + 5 + 50 + 40 + 40 + 90 + 20 + 50 + 40 = 463 mm.
(ii) Mean (monthly) rainfall = 463 ÷ 12 = 38.6 mm.
(b) Pressure: barometer (mercury or aneroid) / barograph; sunshine: Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder; rainfall: rain gauge; temperature: thermometer (maximum and minimum / Six's thermometer).
(c) Rainfall decides which crops grow and when planting is done (e.g. root crops in wet south, grains in drier north); temperature controls crop growth and the growing season; drought and floods destroy crops; humidity favours pests and diseases; climate decides the type of livestock (cattle in drier tsetse-free north); sunshine needed for ripening and drying of crops (cocoa, groundnut); strong winds damage crops; seasons decide farming calendar and need for irrigation.
Show the addition before dividing.