Ch. 1: Intro to Earth

Question 1

What is Physical Geography?

Answer 1

The study of physical elements of geography

Question 2

What is Cultural Geography?

Answer 2

The study of the human and/or cultural elements of geography

Question 3

How did “geography” get it’s name?

Answer 3

It comes from Greek words “earth description”

Question 4

Name the steps of the scientific method.

Answer 4

Observation, hypothesis, design experiment, predict outcome, conduct experiment, conclusion

Question 5

What is a scientific theory?

Answer 5

The highest order of understanding for a body of information

Question 6

What are the two systems of measurement?

Answer 6

English system and International system

Question 7

What are the four “spheres” that make up Earth?

Answer 7

Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere

Question 8

How was the universe believed to be created?

Answer 8

Through the big bang

Question 9

How was the solar system created?

Answer 9

Through a condensing nebula

Question 10

What is a nebula?

Answer 10

A huge, cold, diffuse cloud of gas and dust

Question 11

What is the difference between the Terrestrial planets and Jovian planets?

Answer 11

Terrestrial planets are smaller and more dense, while Jovian planets are bigger and less dense

Question 12

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Answer 12

The area beyond Neptune

Question 13

What is Earth’s highest and lowest points of elevation?

Answer 13

Highest: Mt. Everest; Lowest: Mariana Trench

Question 14

Who is known for calculating Earth’s circumference?

Answer 14

Eratosthenes

Question 15

What is Earth’s grid system based on?

Answer 15

The equator, as well as the North and South Poles

Question 16

What is a great circle?

Answer 16

When a plane passes through the center of the planet, creating two equal halves

Question 17

What is Earth’s grid system referred as?

Answer 17

Graticule

Question 18

What is latitude?

Answer 18

Description of location expressed as an angle north or south of the equator

Question 19

What is latitude and longitude measured as?

Answer 19

Degrees (°), minutes (‘), seconds (“)

Question 20

What is longitude?

Answer 20

Description of location expressed as an angle east or west of the prime meredian

Question 21

What are some of the effects of Earth’s rotation?

Answer 21

Coriolis effect, changing gravitational poles seen in oceans, day and night

Question 22

How long does it take Earth to do a complete rotation?

Answer 22

24 hours

Question 23

How long does it take Earth to do a complete revolution around the sun?

Answer 23

365.25 days

Question 24

Describe perihelion and aphelion.

Answer 24

It describes Earth’s closest (perihelion) and farthest (aphelion) locations in it’s orbit

Question 25

When is perihelion and aphelion?

Answer 25

Perihelion: Jan. 3; Aphelion: Jul. 4

Question 26

What is the plane of the ecliptic?

Answer 26

Imaginary line representing Earth's orbit

Question 27

Describe the Earth's inclination of it's axis.

Answer 27

Earth's axis is tilted 23.5°.

Question 28

Describe Earth's polarity of it's axis.

Answer 28

Earth's rotation axis is always parallel to it's orientation.

Question 29

What is the circle of illumination?

Answer 29

Dividing line between daylight half of Earth and nighttime half of Earth

Question 30

Describe the equinox phases of Earth's orbit.

Answer 30

Autumnal and Vernal equinoxes; sun's vertical rays hit the equator; equal day and night times across all latitudes

Question 31

Describe the solstice phases of Earth's orbit.

Answer 31

Summer and Winter solstices; sun's vertical rays hit either of the tropic lines; different day/night times depending on latitude

Question 32

What latitude is the equator located at?

Answer 32

0°

Question 33

What latitudes are the tropics of Cancer/Capricorn located at?

Answer 33

23.5° N (Cancer) / S (Capricorn)

Question 34

What latitudes are the Arctic and Antarctic Circles located at?

Answer 34

66.5° N (Arctic) / S (Antarctic)

Question 35

What latitudes are the North and South Poles located at?

Answer 35

90° N (North) / S (South)

Question 36

What are the natural units of time?

Answer 36

Tropical year, Lunar month, Day

Question 37

What are the manmade units of time?

Answer 37

Hours, minutes, seconds

Question 38

What serves as the reference for standard time?

Answer 38

The prime meridian (Greenwich)

Question 39

What is the international date line?

Answer 39

An imaginary line that marks the difference of an entire day from one side of the line to the other. (180° long.)

Question 40

What is daylight savings time?

Answer 40

It is the practice of adjusting clocks back or forward one hour in the warmer or colder months

Question 41

What is Earth's polar diameter?

Answer 41

7,900 miles

Question 42

What is Earth's polar circumference?

Answer 42

24,800 miles

Question 43

What is Earth's equatorial diameter?

Answer 43

7,927 miles

Question 44

What is Earth's equatorial circumference?

Answer 44

24,900 miles