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Weather Science > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Geography

A

The study of how natural and human phenomena are distributed across the Earth’s surface and how they interact.

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2
Q

Spatial Science

A

A way geographers approach their work, focusing on understanding how and why things vary across Earth’s surface.

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3
Q

Location

A

Refers to the specific position of something in space. It identifies where an object or place exists geographically.

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4
Q

Place

A

Describes the human and natural characteristics that make a location unique. It focuses on what gives a specific area its identity.

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5
Q

Spatial Pattern

A

The arrangement of natural or human phenomena across the Earth. It shows how things like populations or landscapes are spread out.

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6
Q

Spatial Interaction

A

How different elements within the Earth system influence each other to form geographic patterns. It studies movement and connections between places.

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7
Q

Human Geography

A

The study of spatial aspects of human activities, culture, and society. It includes how people interact with their environments and create places.

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8
Q

Physical Geography

A

Focuses on the natural aspects of geography, such as climate, landforms, and ecosystems. It examines Earth’s physical processes and landscapes.

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9
Q

Continuum of Geography

A

Describes how geography is a broad field that spans from physical to human geography, showing its interconnected nature. It can be visualized through diagrams that illustrate this range.

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10
Q

Hypothesis

A

An educated guess or proposed explanation made based on limited evidence. It serves as a starting point for further investigation.

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11
Q

Theory

A

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that is supported by repeated experiments and observations.

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12
Q

Maps

A

Essential tools for geographers, used to represent spatial distributions of phenomena. They visually display data like locations, densities, or relationships.

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13
Q

Spatial Data

A

Information that is collected to create maps, showing how objects or phenomena are distributed in space.

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14
Q

Qualitative Map Data

A

Information expressed in terms of qualities, such as the presence or absence of a feature, like vegetation types in a region.

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15
Q

Quantitative Map Data

A

Numerical data, such as elevation or temperature, used to show precise measurements on maps.

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16
Q

Choropleth Map

A

A map that uses different colors to show variations in quantities, like population density, within defined areas.

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17
Q

Dasymetric Map

A

A map that combines statistical data with geographic information to highlight patterns across similar areas.

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18
Q

Isarithmic Map

A

A map that uses lines (isolines) to connect points of equal value, such as elevation or air pressure, to show continuous data.

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19
Q

Topographic Map

A

A map that uses contour lines to depict elevation and landforms. It shows the three-dimensional features of the Earth’s surface.

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20
Q

Index Contour

A

The heavier contour lines on a topographic map that have elevations printed on them, marking significant height differences.

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21
Q

Intermediate Contour

A

The lighter contour lines between index contours on a topographic map, indicating less significant elevation changes.

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22
Q

Supplemental Contour

A

Additional contour lines used on topographic maps to show small elevation changes in flat areas.

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23
Q

Benchmark

A

A point of known elevation on a map, marked with symbols like “BM” or a triangle, used as a reference for elevation measurements.

24
Q

Graduated Circle Map

A

A map that uses circles of varying sizes to represent the magnitude of a geographic phenomenon, such as population size.

25
Q

Dot Map

A

A map that uses dots to show the presence or distribution of a phenomenon, like the location of cities.

26
Q

Isoline

A

A line on a map that connects points of equal value, such as temperature or elevation, to represent continuous data.

27
Q

Contour Line

A

Lines on a topographic map that connect points of equal elevation, showing the shape and height of the land.

28
Q

Isobar

A

A line on a map that connects points of equal air pressure, used to display weather patterns.

29
Q

Gradient

A

The rate of change in a value, such as elevation, over a specific distance on a map.

30
Q

Reference Map

A

A type of map designed to assist with navigation and provide general geographic information about an area.

31
Q

Thematic Map

A

A map created to illustrate specific geographic concepts, such as population density or climate patterns.

32
Q

Map Projection

A

A method of flattening the Earth’s curved surface onto a two-dimensional map. It helps represent the globe in a usable format.

33
Q

Map Scale

A

The relationship between a distance on the map and the actual distance on the Earth’s surface.

34
Q

Large Scale Map

A

A map that shows a smaller area with greater detail. It is useful for detailed studies of small regions.

35
Q

Small Scale Map

A

A map that shows a larger area with less detail, ideal for giving an overview of vast regions.

36
Q

Air Photograph

A

Images captured from aircraft that provide a real-world view of the Earth’s surface, showing land use and topography.

37
Q

Remote Sensing

A

The use of satellites to capture images and data about Earth’s surface features from space, providing a broader perspective.

38
Q

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A

A computer system for collecting, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographic information in layers to reveal spatial relationships.

39
Q

Models

A

Simplified representations of real-world systems or phenomena used to study their behavior and relationships.

40
Q

Statistic

A

A numerical value calculated from a sample of data, used to analyze or summarize geographic phenomena.

41
Q

Graph

A

A visual representation of the relationship between two or more variables, often used to show trends or comparisons.

42
Q

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A

A satellite-based system used for determining precise locations on Earth. It involves satellites, ground stations, and receivers.

43
Q

Latitude and Longitude

A

A grid system of lines encircling the globe, used to represent locations on Earth.

44
Q

Models

A

Simplified representations of real-world systems or phenomena used to study their behavior and relationships.

Example: A climate model is used to simulate the behavior of the atmosphere.

45
Q

Statistic

A

A numerical value calculated from a sample of data, used to analyze or summarize geographic phenomena.

Example: The mean temperature is a statistic used to summarize climate data.

46
Q

Graph

A

A visual representation of the relationship between two or more variables, often used to show trends or comparisons.

Example: A bar graph is used to compare the population of different cities.

47
Q

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A

A satellite-based system used for determining precise locations on Earth. It involves satellites, ground stations, and receivers.

Example: GPS is commonly used for navigation and mapping.

48
Q

Latitude and Longitude

A

A grid system of lines encircling the globe, used to pinpoint specific locations on Earth’s surface.

Example: The coordinates 40° N, 75° W represent a location in the United States.

49
Q

Prime Meridian

A

The line of 0° longitude, used as the reference for measuring east and west on Earth.

Example: Greenwich, England is the location of the Prime Meridian.

50
Q

Great Circle

A

A circle formed by passing a plane through the center of a sphere, representing the shortest path between two points on Earth.

Example: The equator is a great circle that divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.

51
Q

Small Circle

A

A circle formed by slicing through a sphere without passing through its center, used to represent certain geographic zones.

Example: The Tropic of Cancer is a small circle that marks the northernmost point where the sun appears directly overhead.

52
Q

Universal Transverse Mercator Grid (UTM)

A

A coordinate system used to map Earth’s surface with high accuracy, based on the UTM projection.

Example: UTM coordinates are commonly used in military operations and land surveying.

53
Q

Geographical Zones

A

Regions of the Earth divided by latitude and climate characteristics, often used to define homogeneous areas.

Example: The tropical zone is a geographical zone characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity.

54
Q

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

A

The global time standard based on the prime meridian. It uses a 24-hour clock system to mark the world’s time zones.

Example: GMT is used as the reference time for aviation schedules.

55
Q

Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)

A

The modern name for GMT, still based on the prime meridian and used as the global standard for timekeeping.

Example: UTC is used in international telecommunications to standardize time references.

56
Q

International Date Line

A

An imaginary line at roughly 180° longitude where one day changes to the next.

Example: Crossing the International Date Line from west to east results in gaining a day.

57
Q

Daylight Saving Time

A

The practice of adjusting clocks forward in the spring and backward in the fall to make better use of daylight hours.

Example: Daylight Saving Time was implemented to save energy during World War I.

Weather Science (9 decks)

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