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Geography > Ch. 1: Intro to Earth > Flashcards

Ch. 1: Intro to Earth Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Physical Geography?

A

The study of physical elements of geography

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2
Q

What is Cultural Geography?

A

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

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3
Q

How did “geography” get it’s name?

A

It comes from Greek words “earth description”

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4
Q

Name the steps of the scientific method.

A

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

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5
Q

What is a scientific theory?

A

The highest order of understanding for a body of information

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6
Q

What are the two systems of measurement?

A

English system and International system

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7
Q

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

A

Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere

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8
Q

How was the universe believed to be created?

A

Through the big bang

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9
Q

How was the solar system created?

A

Through a condensing nebula

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10
Q

What is a nebula?

A

A huge, cold, diffuse cloud of gas and dust

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11
Q

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

A

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

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12
Q

What is the Kuiper Belt?

A

The area beyond Neptune

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13
Q

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

A

Highest: Mt. Everest; Lowest: Mariana Trench

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14
Q

Who is known for calculating Earth’s circumference?

A

Eratosthenes

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15
Q

What is Earth’s grid system based on?

A

The equator, as well as the North and South Poles

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16
Q

What is a great circle?

A

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

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17
Q

What is Earth’s grid system referred as?

A

Graticule

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18
Q

What is latitude?

A

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

19
Q

What is latitude and longitude measured as?

A

Degrees (°), minutes (‘), seconds (“)

20
Q

What is longitude?

A

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

21
Q

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

A

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

22
Q

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

A

24 hours

23
Q

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

A

365.25 days

24
Q

Describe perihelion and aphelion.

A

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

25
Q

When is perihelion and aphelion?

A

Perihelion: Jan. 3; Aphelion: Jul. 4

26
Q

What is the plane of the ecliptic?

A

Imaginary line representing Earth’s orbit

27
Q

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

A

Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5°.

28
Q

Describe Earth’s polarity of it’s axis.

A

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

29
Q

What is the circle of illumination?

A

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

30
Q

Describe the equinox phases of Earth’s orbit.

A

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

31
Q

Describe the solstice phases of Earth’s orbit.

A

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

32
Q

What latitude is the equator located at?

A

0°

33
Q

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

A

23.5° N (Cancer) / S (Capricorn)

34
Q

What latitudes are the Arctic and Antarctic Circles located at?

A

66.5° N (Arctic) / S (Antarctic)

35
Q

What latitudes are the North and South Poles located at?

A

90° N (North) / S (South)

36
Q

What are the natural units of time?

A

Tropical year, Lunar month, Day

37
Q

What are the manmade units of time?

A

Hours, minutes, seconds

38
Q

What serves as the reference for standard time?

A

The prime meridian (Greenwich)

39
Q

What is the international date line?

A

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

40
Q

What is daylight savings time?

A

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

41
Q

What is Earth’s polar diameter?

A

7,900 miles

42
Q

What is Earth’s polar circumference?

A

24,800 miles

43
Q

What is Earth’s equatorial diameter?

A

7,927 miles

44
Q

What is Earth’s equatorial circumference?

A

24,900 miles

Geography (1 decks)

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