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1180 > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Geography

A

Geography is the science that studies the relationships among natural systems, geographic areas, society, and cultural activities, and the interdependence of all of these, over space and time.

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2
Q

Earth’s Spheres (4)

A

Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere

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3
Q

Lithosphere

A

Earth’s crust and a portion of the upper mantle directly below the crust.

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4
Q

Atmosphere

A

Thin gaseous veil surrounding the Earth.

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5
Q

Hydrosphere

A

Water on Earth.

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6
Q

Biosphere

A

Interconnected web that links organisms with their physical environment (flora, fauna, ecosystems).

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7
Q

4 criteria of a system

A

A set of interconnected elements

Boundaries exist

No randomness

Operates within acceptable limits

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8
Q

Open System

A

A system with inputs and outputs crossing back and forth between the system and the surrounding environment.

  • This system may gain or lose energy
  • The output is not the same as the input

input -> process -> output

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9
Q

Closed System

A

A system that is shut off from the surrounding environment, so that it is entirely self-contained in terms of energy and materials;

  • no real difference in output/input
  • no loss of anything.
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10
Q

System

A

Any set of interrelated components or objects which are connected together to form a working unit or unified whole.

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11
Q

Types of System

A

Open

Closed

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12
Q

Example of an open system

A

Photosynthesis

Input: radiation from the sun, water, nutrients, co2

process: conversion of the energy and matter into stored chemical energy (plant sugars for example)
output: oxygen into our atmosphere

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13
Q

Earth Systems Concepts

A

SYSTEMS THEORY

SYSTEM FEEDBACK

SYSTEM EQUILIBRIUM

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14
Q

Systems Feedback (types)

A

Positive Feedback

Negative Feedback

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15
Q

Positive Feedback

A

Feedback that amplifies or encourages change/responses in a system.

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16
Q

Negative Feedback

A

Feedback that tends to slow or dampen responses in a system, promoting self-regulation in a system.

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17
Q

Feedback Loop

A

Created when a portion of system output is returned as an information input, causing changes that guide further system operation.

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18
Q

Positive Feedback Loop

A

The Arctic sea ice–albedo positive feedback loop

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19
Q

The Arctic sea ice–albedo positive feedback loop (5)

A
  • Temperatures rise
  • Sea ice melts, exposing darker ocean surface
  • Ocean absorbs more solar energy (heat!)
  • Reflectivity/Albedo is altered (ocean reflects less sunlight)
  • Temperature rise is further accelerated
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20
Q

Equilibrium

A

Occurs when the system remains balanced over time

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21
Q

Steady State Equilibrium

A

System values fluctuate around a steady average and maintains same operation level.

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22
Q

Dynamic State Equilibrium

A

System values fluctuate around a stable average, but exhibits a trend overall. The trend can change over time.

Includes “Thresholds/tipping points”

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23
Q

Threshold/Tipping Point

A

A system may reach a “threshold”, where it can no longer maintain its character, so it lurches to a new operational level.

The system jumps to a new stable average condition.

24
Q

Remote Sensing

A

The technique of obtaining information from a distance, without physical contact with the subject.

25
Q

GIS stands for

A

Geographic Information Systems

26
Q

Geographic Information Systems

A

A computer system that gathers, stores, and analyzes geographic information, and displays it on demand.

27
Q

Active Remote Sensing

A

direct a beam of Energy at a surface and analyze the difference in Energy reflected back

28
Q

Passive Remote Sensing

A

Record energy emitted from a surface (particularly infrared and visible light)

29
Q

Map

A

A representation, usually on a plane surface, of a region or place on Earth.

30
Q

Latitude

A

The angular distance measured North or South of the equator from a point at the centre of Earth.

A line connecting all points of the same latitudinal angle is a parallel. (Compare Longitude.)

31
Q

Parallel

A

A line connecting all points of the same latitudinal angle.

32
Q

Longitude

A

The angular distance measured East or West of a prime meridian from a point at the centre of Earth.

33
Q

Meridian

A

A line connecting all points of the same longitude is a meridian.

34
Q

One time zone spans how many degrees longitude?

A

15°

35
Q

Latitude of the Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle

A

66.5° - 90° N/S

36
Q

Who developed the system of diving the earth by latitude and longitude?

A

Ptolemy

37
Q

International Date Line

A

180°

38
Q

Prime Meridian

A

0° (Greenwich, England)

39
Q

Great Circle

A

Any circle drawn on the globe with its center coinciding with the center of the globe, bisecting the earth into two equal halves.

The equator is a great circle.

40
Q

Small Circle

A

A circle on a globe’s surface that does not share Earth’s centre—for example, all parallels of latitude other than the equator.

41
Q

Map

A

A map is a representation of what is usually some portion of Earth’s surface as seen from above at a greatly reduced size.

42
Q

Map Projection

A

Reduction of spherical Earth to a flat surface.

43
Q

2-D maps distort one or more: (5)

A

DISTANCE

DIRECTION

AREA

SHAPE

PROXIMITY

44
Q

Main Types of projections (4)

A

Cylindrical (Mercator)

Planar

Conic

Oval

45
Q

5 Geographic Themes

A

Location

Place

Movement

Regions

Human-Earth Interactions

46
Q

Scale

A

A proportion used in determining the dimensional relationship of a representation to that it represents

47
Q

Types of scales

A

Written Scale
Representative Fraction
Graphic Scale

48
Q

Written scale example

A

1 centimetre equals 5 kilometres

49
Q

Representative fraction example

A

1:250,000 or 1/250,000 (no units)

50
Q

Altering Scale affects: (2)

A

Area Covered

Detail Shown

51
Q

Mercator Projection (other name)

A

Cylindrical Projection

52
Q

Cylindrical Projection

A

Piece of paper, wrapped around earth, becomes a cylinder.

  • Countries along the equator will be more accurate
  • Distortion at the poles
53
Q

Rhumb Line

A

A line of constant compass direction, or constant bearing, that crosses successive meridians at the same angle; appears as a straight line only on the Mercator projection.

54
Q

Planar Projection

A

Standard ‘point’ at a pole. Shows great circle routes (shortest distance between two points on Earth) as straight lines.

55
Q

Conic Projection

A

Standard line across North America.

1180 (8 decks)

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