Chapter 1 Flashcards
What are processes?
Special order of actions caused by physical, chemical, and biological laws.
Scientific Theory. What is a theory?
An explained phenomenon that is accepted by “all” scientist.
Scientific Law
A statement of what will happen, but does not explain how or why they work.
What is a system?
Ordered parts that are linked by energy and matter.
What are open systems?
Not self contained
Inputs of energy/matter received
Outputs of energy/matter flow out.
What are closed systems?
Self contained
Shut off from the surroundings environment
Rarely found in nature.
System Feedback
Negative feedbacks - stability, discourages change.
Positive feedback - encourages change, stimulates change.
Negative Feedback Loop Examples
Human sweating controls our body temperature.
Warming atmospheric temperatures.
Predator - Prey relationships
Positive Feedback Loop
Permafrost melt releases.
Removal of sea ice.
Steady state equilibrium
Systems that maintain being balanced.
Inputs = Outputs
A system may reach a threshold, or tipping point, then moves into a operational level.
What is Earth’s Four Spheres?
“lithosphere” (land)
“hydrosphere” (water)
“biosphere” (living things)
“atmosphere” (air).
Angular Distance
North and South lines on the word globe.
Parallels
West and East lines on the world globe.
Latitude
Map Requirements
Title
Date
Legend
Scale
Direction
What is Scale?
Distance on the map vs the ground.
Examples: Verbal Scale, Representative Fractions, Graphic bar scale.
Cross-Sectional Maps
Structures and rock formations.
Topographic Maps
Lines to show the shape of Earths surface.
Ex: roads, rivers, lakes, and more.
Projections
Transforming spherical Earth to flat map.
Remote Sensing Definition
Collection of information about an object from a distance through electromagnetic energy.
Remote Sensing Examples
Active: Transmits energy to allow an image to be formed.
Passive: Collects energy reflected or emitted from a surface.
GIS stands for?
Geographical Information System
GIS definition?
Combines spatial and data to create multiples layer maps.
Meridians
Vertical and horizontal lines across the globe.
iContour Line
A line drawn on a topographic map to indicate ground elevation or depression.
Hypothesis
A concept or idea that you test through research and experiments.
Threshold
The point at which you start to experience something, or at which something starts to happen
