Chapter 1 Flashcards
If a(n) _______ is supported consistently, it may be advanced to the level of a theory.
hypothesis
Which of the following of Earth’s radii is greater?
equatorial / polar
The equatorial radius is greater than the polar radius.
Earth did not form into a perfect spherical shape because ______.
as it rotates, the forces of rotation and gravity cause the equator to bulge outward.
If Earth’s overall size was scaled to the size of a basketball, then the distance from Earth’s highest elevation to its deepest ocean depths would best be compared to the thickness of a(n) ______.
average human fingernail
To determine your line of ______, you would need to know the angle your location (line) makes with the equatorial plane at Earth’s center.
latitude
If a hypothesis is supported consistently by different observations or experiments, it may be advanced to the level of a(n) ______.
theory
There are ____ degrees of longitude east and west of the prime meridian to the international date line.
180
What is the primary force that causes Earth to have a greater equatorial radius than the polar radius?
The force of rotation causes Earth to have a greater equatorial radius than the polar radius.
Any circle at Earth’s surface with its center at Earth’s center is called ____.
a great circle
Earth did not form a perfect sphere because it ____ on its axis.
spins or rotates
A nautical mile is equal to one minute of ____ length of latitude or longitude at the equator.
arc
The topographic relief of Earth’s highest elevations and greatest depths is ____ compared to the overall size of the planet.
minor
Reason: Earth is considered quite smooth.
It is necessary to know the time of day and the position of the Sun or the stars relative to one’s longitude line because ____.
the longitude line rotates with Earth, 360 degrees in twenty-four hours
Lines of latitude, also known as ____, are referenced to the equator.
parallels
Which of the following pieces of technology had to be developed in order to calculate longitude accurately?
clocks
Reason: Early mechanical clocks could not keep time accurately enough to allow reliable longitude calculations. It was not until John Harrison developed his chronometer in the eighteenth century that this was possible.
If the central line of latitude is the equator, the central line of longitude is the ____ ____.
prime meridian
When the Sun is at its ____, it is at the highest elevation above a reference longitude.
zenith
Which of the following are true regarding a great circle?
- All longitude lines form great circles.
- The Tropic of Cancer is a great circle.
- All latitude lines form great circle.
- A great circle connecting any two points on Earth’s surface defines the shortest distance between them.
- They include any circle on Earth’s surface with its center at Earth’s center.
- All longitude lines form great circles.
- A great circle connecting any two points on Earth’s surface defines the shortest distance between them.
- They include any circle on Earth’s surface with its center at Earth’s center.
The clock time is set to noon when the Sun is at its zenith above the prime meridian. This time is ____.
Greenwich Mean Time
A(n) ____ is equal to one minute of arc length of latitude or longitude at the equator.
nautical mile
Earth has been divided into time ____ that are 15 degrees of longitude wide, although some adjustments have been made when necessary to follow political boundaries for the convenience of people living in those areas.
zones
Because lines of ____ rotate with Earth, 360 degrees in twenty-four hours, it is necessary to know the time of day and the position of the Sun or the stars relative to one’s line.
longitude or meridian
Which of the following are necessary in order for you to find your position on Earth using GPS?
- Precise measurements of distance between a receiver and four satellites.
- Satellites to transmit a unique digital code to a ground receiver.
- A minimum of 30 satellites visible from your point.
- Precise measurements of distance between a receiver and four satellites.
- Satellites to transmit a unique digital code to a ground receiver.
In the eighteenth century, a ____ was used to help determine longitude more precisely on ships.
chronometer
The three states of water: ____, ____, and ____, are possible on Earth’s surface because Earth’s mean surface temperature is about 61 degrees F.
solid or ice
liquid or fluid
gas, vapor, steam, or gaseous
The Sun is at ____ when it is at its highest elevation above a reference longitude.
its zenith
Greenwich Mean Time is also called ____ Time as well as ____ Time.
Universal
ZULU
The release of water to the atmosphere by plants is called ____.
transpiration
The time of sunrise changes about one hour for each ____ degrees of longitude on Earth.
15
After the oceans, the second largest water reservoir on Earth is ____.
ice caps and glaciers
Reason: The ice sheets of Antartica and Greenland are over 2 miles thick in some places.
The Global Positioning System uses a group of ____ as reference points for calculating positions on Earth’s surface with an accuracy of a few meters.
satellites
Most of the world’s landmasses are located in the ____ Hemisphere.
Northern
Reason: The Northern Hemisphere contains about 70% of Earth’s present landmass.
Because Earth’s mean surface temperature is about 61 degrees F, ____ is able to exist as a gas, a liquid, and a solid.
water or H2O
The ____ Ocean is the smallest.
Arctic
The hydrologic cycle involves ____.
a constant movement of water into and out of reservoirs
The shallowest of the five oceans is the ____ Ocean.
Arctic
The release of water by plants
transpiration
The conversion of ice directly to water vapor
sublimation
The hypsographic curve compares which of the following?
- land and water surface areas
- land and water elevation relationships
- land and water temperature gradients
- land and water elevation relationships
Reason: The hypsographic curve is a term used to describe the differences between land elevations and ocean depths.
Rank the locations or reservoirs of Earth’s water in order from largest quantity of water held at the top to least quantity of water held at the bottom.
- freshwater lakes
- groundwater
- oceans
- ice caps
- atmosphere
- oceans
- ice caps
- groundwater
- freshwater lakes
- atmosphere
The Southern Hemisphere is sometimes called the ____ hemisphere because it contains so much more than the Northern Hemisphere.
water
The largest of the world’s oceans is the ____ Ocean.
Pacific
The Atlantic Ocean is roughly ____ the size of the Pacific Ocean.
half
Reason: Covering 16.7% of Earth’s surface, the Atlantic is just about half the size of the Pacific.
The hypsographic curve indicates that only ____ percent of Earth’s surface is above sea level.
29
Reason: Currently, 29 percent of Earth’s surface is considered above sea level. However, sea level has changed countless times throughout Earth’s long history.
