Exam 1

Question 1

Cartogram (module 2)

Answer 1

thematic mapping variable is substituted for land area. The
geometry or space of the map is distorted

Question 2

What file types are shapefiles made up of? (module 2)

Answer 2

.dbf = database
.shp= we use this to open and modify the items.
.shx = shape index file

but .shp is what we use

Question 3

Vector Data (module 2)

Answer 3

Have shape and size
that can be polygons, lines, or
points referenced to lat/lon and data.

Question 4

Raster Data (module 2)

Answer 4

A grid based pixel
used in remote sensing. Occupy space referenced to lat/lon. Linked to data!

Question 5

Remote Sensing (module 2)

Answer 5

Taking images from above to analyze Earth

Question 6

Attributes (module 2)

Answer 6

information attached to each line, polygon, point
or raster. (could be population, precipitation, county name, etc)

Question 7

Projection (module 3)

Answer 7

process of transforming spherical object onto a 2D surface

Question 8

Scale (module 3)

Answer 8

ratio of the size on the map to the size on the ground (1:big number=small scale=zoomed out, 1:smaller number=large scale=zoomed-in)

Question 9

Projected Coordinate System - PCS (mod 3)

Answer 9

Ex: albers equals area

takes points defined by GCS and translates them to 2D surface (projection) –>

Question 10

Geographic Coordinate System - GCS (mod 3)

Answer 10

ex: WGS 1984

uses a 3D spherical surface to define locations on earth

Question 11

Metadata (mod 3)

Answer 11

contains info about the data; provides format type, what the labels mean, etc.

Question 12

Location (Mod 4)

Answer 12

specific latitude, longitude, and elevation

Question 13

Parallels and Meridian (mod 4)

Answer 13

parallels are also known as latitude

meridians are longitude (N/S)

Question 14

Tropic of Cancer (mod 4)

Answer 14

23.5 degrees N. The Sun is directly overhead at noon on June 21st at this location.

Question 15

Tropic of Capricorn

Answer 15

23.5 degrees S. The sun is directly overhead at noon on December 21st at this location

Question 16

Geographic Grid (+/-) (mod 4)

Answer 16

+N
- S
+E
- W

Question 17

Decimal Degrees vs/ Degrees, minutes, seconds

Answer 17

We use decimal degrees most often, negatives and positives given to indicate which part of the geographic grid we are in

Question 18

True Shape/Equal area (mod 4)

Answer 18

True: correct shape but incorrect size

equal: correct size incorrect shape

Question 19

GPS (mod 5)

Answer 19

Global Positioning System uses remote sensing data (info about earth from above)

Question 20

Reason for the seasons? (mod 5)

Answer 20

tilt of earth’s axis and revolution around the sun

Question 21

Declination (mod 5)

Answer 21

(AKA subsolar point) latitude number where one can see the sun directly overhead at noon

Question 22

1. Subsolar point on December 22
2. Subsolar point on March 22
3. Subsolar point on June 22
4. Subsolar point on September 22

Answer 22

1. @23.5 degrees south (tropic of capricorn)
2. @ equator > spring equinox
3. @23.5 degrees north (tropic of cancer)
4. @ equator > fall equinox

Question 23

What creates wind? (mod 5)

Answer 23

temp differences which create pressure differences

Question 24

Where is wind? (mod 5)

Answer 24

• coastlines
• mid-latitudes (great plains in US where cold air clashes with warm air and there are no mountains to block it)
• High in the mountains

Question 25

On the Fly projection (mod 3)

Answer 25

when you recalculate map’s coordinates to match the map frame (changing the projection). It changes only the DISPLAY of the coordinates, it does not change the data itself.

Question 26

orthophotos

Answer 26

aerial photographs altered such that they are to-scale and can have points mapped onto them