Physical Geography Exam #1

Not memorizing place names. It’s about where something is, why it’s there, and what is significant about it. Also concerned with how things differ through time and space.

(1724-1804) placed geography within a contemporary philosophical framework and reasoned that all knowledge can be organized and viewed from 3 points of view.

Studies grouped according to specified facts or objects e.g. botany, soils, sociology, psychology

Studies of objects and facts through time (historical sciences).

Studies of phenomena in space (geographical sciences - spatial context)

Looking at one or more aspects of the human-environmental system in context of spatial dimension. (ex. atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, human dimension)

Analyze human-physical system in selected setting (e.g. geography of Europe)

Focused on unchecked human population versus available resources. Created the J-curve which models exponential population growth.

Any natural phenomena that is regarded as useful by humans. (ex. air, water, soil)

(AKA “flow resources”) capable of yielding output indefinitely if managed carefully (e.g. air, water, vegetation, soil)

(AKA “fund resources”) resources that cannot be used without depletion (ex. fossil fuels and metals)

Where the humans system is unable to absorb, use, buffer, or control aspects of the natural system. (ex. flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, volcanism, drought, etc.)

Population to total area (e.g. population/square mile or population per square kilometer)

Population to arable land (land capable of cultivation)

Percent of the world population that lives within 150 km (93 miles) of the ocean.

World population today.

Percent of arable land on Earth.

Largest country in the world today (population)

Earth’s circumference (in miles).

First to accurately postulate the Earth’s circumference.

The relation between length measured on a map image to the corresponding distance on the Earth’s surface.

The _____ the scale, the _____ the relation between map distance and ground distance.

The _____ the denominator, the _____ the map scale.

General shape of the Earth.

0° to 90° North and South of the equator.

Lines of equal latitude.

0° to 180° East and West of the Prime Meridian.

Lines of equal longitude.

The difference between true north and magnetic north.

Map projection formed by placing a cylinder over a globe and transferring points, then unfolding (ex. Mercator projection -- distortions poleward)

Map projection formed by placing a flat surface next to a globe -- distortions form away from the point of contact.

Map projection formed by placing a cone on a globe. It helps converge the lines of longitude but has the issue of globe coverage.

Detecting the nature of an object while at some distance. Requires some type of detector/sensor. (often uses electromagnetic energy)

Radiant energy traveling at the speed of light in harmonic wave patterns.

Sensors that acquire images without providing a source of energy. (most common = the camera)

Electromagnetic energy with the shortest wavelength (and therefore the most energy).

Electromagnetic energy with the longest wavelength (and therefore the least energy).

Electromagnetic spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength (increasing energy).

Sensors that use a beam of wave energy as a source and send the beam toward an object. Part of the energy is reflected back to the source and is recorded by a detector. (ex. radar, lidar)

In sync with the sun -- orbits near polar and completes one circle of the Earth every 90 to 100 minutes. Designed to pass a set point at approximately the same time.

Satellites that move at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation. Fixed on one part of the globe and see one part of the globe constantly (used as weather satellites, tv satellites, communication satellites).

Uses short pulses of microwave radiation directed towards an object and detects the return echo of the microwave response. The strength of each return pulse and time received allows an image to be created of the object.

Measures of waves in circles per second or Hertz (Hz).

One of primary Earth sensing satellites (sun-synchronous orbit).

Direction of the Earth’s rotation (reference: looking down on the North Pole).

Coriolis effect on winds and ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere.

Coriolis effect on winds and ocean currents in the Southern Hemisphere.

When Earth is at its greatest distance from the sun.

When Earth is at its closest distance to the sun.

When the sun is at this position (23.5°N latitude) the Earth experiences the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (Summer Solstice). (Same time, winter solstice in Southern Hemisphere).

When the sun is at this position (23.5°S latitude) the Earth experiences the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (Winter Solstice). (Same time, summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere).

The point at which the sun is directly overhead.

Atmospheric conditions at any given time and place.

Weather conditions over time for a particular area or region of the Earth.

The states of matter are…

Prominent gases in the atmosphere.

Most prominent gas in the atmosphere (78%).

The reflectivity of anything.

The albedo of Earth is…

Instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Water vapor variation in the atmosphere.

The layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface. (main focus of geographers -- up to 9 miles thick)

Second closest atmospheric layer to the Earth’s surface. (extends to about 31 miles above the surface)

Layer of atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere. (third closest to the Earth’s surface -- up to 53 miles above)

Atmospheric layer located between the mesosphere and the ionosphere (fourth closest layer to the surface -- between 53 and 372 miles above the ground)

Atmospheric layer located between the thermosphere and the magnetosphere (fifth closest layer to the surface -- between 50 and 600 miles above the ground)

Atmospheric layer furthest from the surface and the outer edge of the Earth’s magnetic field (Van Allen Radiation Belt).

The amount of incoming radiation from the sun (approx. 2 calories/centimeter squared/minute)

Lines of equal temperature.

The process by which heat is directly transmitted to a substance when there is a difference in temperature between adjoining substances.

The transfer of heat by circulation or movement of the heated parts of liquid and gas -- where hotter, less dense material will rise; colder, dense material will sink.

Instrument that measures temperature.

Instrument that measures wind direction and speeds.

Instrument that measures relative and specific humidity.

Instrument that measures solar radiation.

Instrument that measures evaporation rates.

Water boils at 212° and water freezes at 32°.

Water boils at 100° and water freezes at 0°.

The maximum temperature generally occurs around…

The coolest temperature (in general) recorded in a 24 hour period occurs…

Lines of equal atmospheric pressure.

The _____ pressure variation, the _____ the wind.

Air moves from _____, to _____ pressure.

Winds are named after the…

Winds driven by local effects (ex. sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes)

Strong, extremely dry downslope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California.

Storms along the east coast of North America where the winds are strong from the northeast. (may occur at anytime, but most often from September to April)

Warming dry wind off the leeward side of a mountain range that can cause a rapid rise in temperature.

A low pressure cell → air converges and rises from the center.

A high pressure cell → air descends to the center and diverges.

In the Northern Hemisphere, anticyclones form winds moving in a…

In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones form winds moving in a…

In the Southern Hemisphere, anticyclones form winds moving in a…

In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclones form winds moving in a…

A body of air in which upward gradients of temperature and moisture are relatively uniform for large areas.

Surface of contact between two unlike air masses.

The core of the upper air westerlies.

Undulations in the jet stream.

Dry weather caused by high pressure cells and seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation. (very dry)

Wet weather caused by low pressure cells and seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation. (lots of moisture)