Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4 (up to adiabatic cooling/warming

Question 1

What is the study of Geography? Contrast physical geography and human geography.

Answer 1

Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Physical geography is the branch of geography dealing with natural features and processes.Human Geography is the branch of geography dealing with how human activity affects or is influenced by the earth’s surface.

Question 2

What is the approximate English System of measurement equivalent of one kilometer in the International System (S.I.)?

Answer 2

2/3 mile

Question 3

Why is the phrase “scientific proof” somewhat misleading?

Answer 3

Science cannot be proved. It can only be disproved.

Question 4

What is the difference between a positive feedback loop and a negative feedback loop?

Answer 4

The key difference between positive and negative feedback is their response to change: positive feedback amplifies change while negative feedback reduces change.

Question 5

What are terrestrial planets?

Answer 5

There are four inner terrestrial planets. In order, the four terrestrial planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are smaller, denser, and less oblate (more nearly spherical) than the Jovian planets in our solar system. The inner planets are composed mainly of mineral matter, and except for airless Mercury, have diverse but relatively shallow atmospheres.

Question 6

What are jovian planets?

Answer 6

There are four jovian planets. In order, they include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.These outer planets are more massive, but less dense than the inner planet, and are less spherical because they rotate more rapidly.Deep atmospheres and are mostly composed of gases and elements such as hydrogen and helium which are liquid near the surface, but frozen towards the interior. The atmospheres may also contain ices of compounds such as methane and ammonia.

Question 7

What are jovian planets?

Answer 7

There are four jovian planets. In order, they include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.These outer planets are more massive, but less dense than the inner planet, and are less spherical because they rotate more rapidly.Deep atmospheres and are mostly composed of gases and elements such as hydrogen and helium which are liquid near the surface, but frozen towards the interior. The atmospheres may also contain ices of compounds such as methane and ammonia.

Question 8

What is a great circle? Provide one example of a great circle.

Answer 8

The circle where a plane passing through the center of the sphere dividing it in equal halves and intersects the surface of the sphere. example: the equator.

Question 9

If an idea cannot be disproven by some possible observation or test, can such an idea be supported by science?

Answer 9

No. Science cannot be proven. Only disproved. If it cannot be disproved then alternative explanations cannot be disproved.

Question 10

Contrast closed systems and open systems.

Answer 10

A closed system is self contained and isolated from Influences outside the system. There is no increase and decrease in the matter of Earth. An open system is where both energy and matter are exchanged across the system boundary. These deal with inputs and outputs.

Question 11

What are Earth’s Environmental spheres?

Answer 11

All of Earth’s environmental spheres are interconnected to one another. The spheres include the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere.

Question 12

what is the Biosphere?

Answer 12

The sphere that includes all living things—Plants and Animals.

Question 13

What is the Atmosphere?

Answer 13

The gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth.

Question 14

What is the Hydrosphere?

Answer 14

Comprises water in all its forms.

a. Surface waters—oceans, rivers, ponds, lakes, etc.
b. Waters found in the atmosphere and in underground aquifers.

Question 15

What is the Lithosphere?

Answer 15

Comprising the rocks of Earth’s crust and the unconsolidated particle of mineral matter that overlie the solid bedrock.

Question 16

What is the Cryosphere?

Answer 16

The cryosphere is a subcomponent of the hydrosphere. It is the frozen part of the hydrosphere, water frozen as snow or ice.

Question 17

Is earth perfectly spherical?

Answer 17

No. Earth is an oblate spheroid. Earth’s surface flattens slightly at the North Pole and the South Pole and bulges out slightly around the equator. Thus, a cross section through the poles has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of a cross section through the equator.

Question 18

Define Latitude

Answer 18

A location expressed as an angle north or south of the equator.

Question 19

Define Longitude

Answer 19

the angular distance of a place east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England,

Question 20

Define Parallel

Answer 20

A line connecting all points of the same latitude.

Question 21

Define Meridian

Answer 21

Imaginary lines stretching from pole to pole and crossing all parallels at right angles.

Question 22

Define Prime Meridian

Answer 22

The meridian passing through east of London from which longitude is measured.

Question 23

Why are lines of latitude called parallels?

Answer 23

Lines of latitude are equally spaced and do not get smaller. they are literally parallel to each other.

Question 24

Latitude ranges from _____ to _____ north and south.

Answer 24

90 degrees north to 90 degrees south

Question 25

Longitude ranges from ____ to ____ east and west.

Answer 25

90 degrees east to 90 degrees west

Question 26

What is the latitude for the equator?

Answer 26

0 degrees

Question 27

What is the latitude for the North Pole?

Answer 27

90 degrees north

Question 28

What is the latitude for the South Pole?

Answer 28

90 degrees south

Question 29

What is the latitude for the Tropic of Cancer?

Answer 29

23.5 degrees north

Question 30

What is the latitude for the Tropic of Capricorn?

Answer 30

23.5 degrees south

Question 31

What is the latitude for the Arctic Circle?

Answer 31

66.5 degrees north

Question 32

What is the latitude for the Antarctic Circle?

Answer 32

66.5 degrees south

Question 33

What is a small circle? Provide an example.

Answer 33

An intersection of Earth’s surface with any plane that does not pass through Earth’s center (arctic circle).

Question 34

Define Rotation

Answer 34

Earth rotates from west to east on its axis, a complete rotation takes 24 hours. So Earth’s rotation is the rotation of Planet Earth around its own axis.

Question 35

Define Revolution

Answer 35

Revolution is the orbit of Earth around the Sun. It takes Earth approximately 365 days to make one complete revolution around the Sun.

Question 36

Define Inclination of Earth’s Axis

Answer 36

The tilt of Earth’s rotational axis relative to its orbital plane.

Question 37

On which day of the year is Earth closest to the Sun (perihelion)?

Answer 37

January 3

Question 38

On which day of the year is Earth farthest away from the Sun(aphelion)?

Answer 38

July 4

Question 39

What date is the March equinox?

Answer 39

March 20

Question 40

What date is the June Solstice?

Answer 40

June 21

Question 41

What date is the September Equinox?

Answer 41

September 22

Question 42

What date is the December Solstice?

Answer 42

december 21

Question 43

What is the circle of illumination?

Answer 43

The dividing light between the daylight half of Earth and the nighttime half of Earth. It is a great circle.

Question 44

What is meant by solar altitude?

Answer 44

angle of the sun above the horizon.

Question 45

Beginning with the March equinox, describe the changing latitude of the vertical rays of the noon Sun during the year.

Answer 45

The latitude changes from 0 degrees during the march equinox up to the tropic of cancer at 23.5 degrees north during the june solstice. Then it goes back down to the equator at 0 degrees during the September equinox and then goes down to the tropic of capricorn at 23.5 degrees south during the december solstice.

Question 46

In the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere on which day of the year is the sun highest in the sky?

Answer 46

June solstice-June 21

Question 47

In the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere on which day of the year is the sun lowest in the sky?

Answer 47

December solstice-December 21

Question 48

Briefly describe Earth’s orientation to the Sun during summer and winter in the northern hemisphere.

Answer 48

Around June 21, the North Pole is oriented most directly toward the Sun, whereas six months later, around December 21, the North Pole is oriented most directly away from the Sun

Question 49

For the equator, describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the June solstice.

Answer 49

12 Hours

Question 50

For the equator, describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the September equinox?

Answer 50

12 Hours

Question 51

For the equator, describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the December solstice?

Answer 51

12 Hours

Question 52

What is the longest day of the year in the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere?

Answer 52

June solstice- June 21

Question 53

What is the longest day of the year in the midlatitudes of the Southern Hemisphere?

Answer 53

December solstice-December 21

Question 54

For the North Pole describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the March equinox.

Answer 54

24 Hours

Question 55

For the North Pole describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the June solstice?

Answer 55

24 Hours

Question 56

For the North Pole describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the September Equinox?

Answer 56

0 Hours

Question 57

For the North Pole describe the approximate number of daylight hours on the day of the December Solstice?

Answer 57

0 Hours

Question 58

For how many months of the year does the North Pole have no sunlight at all?

Answer 58

6 months

Question 59

For how many months of the year does the North Pole have no sunlight at all?

Answer 59

6 Months

Question 60

What happens to the hours when you cross a time zone from west to east?

Answer 60

You add one hour to the time/clock.

Question 61

What is meant by UTC (Universal Time Coordinated)?

Answer 61

The world time standard reference previously known as the Greenwich Mean Time

Question 62

What is meant by Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)?

Answer 62

Time in the Greenwich time zone. Now more commonly known as the Universal Time Coordinated.

Question 63

When daylight savings time begins in the spring, you would adjust your clock from 2 am to what?

Answer 63

3 am

Question 64

What happens to the day when you cross the International Date Line (IDL) from east to west?

Answer 64

You add a day. If you traveled on saturday the day would become Sunday once you crossed the IDL.

Question 65

What is the difference between a maap and a globe?

Answer 65

a map is 2D and shows only a portion of Earth (usually a specific area), an a globe is a 3D spherical model that shows and represents Earth as a whole.

Question 66

Why are physical geographists interested in globalization of the economy?

Answer 66

So they can find insights on the world’s most pressing problems.

Question 67

Why is a distance covered by 1 degree of longitude at the equator different from the distance covered by 1 degree of longitude at a latitude of 45 degrees North?

Answer 67

As lines of longitude approach the poles, they become closer together. latitude stays the same length apart, but the lines of longitude begin and end at the poles.

Question 68

What is the significance of aphelion and perihelion in Earth’s seasons?

Answer 68

The distance between the Earth and the Sun affects the climate and day length.

Question 69

Why are standard time zones 15 degrees of longitude wide?

Answer 69

There are 360 degrees around the world and there are 24 different time zones. One for each hour difference. 360 degrees divided by 24 is 15.

Question 70

Why can’t a map represent Earth’s surface as perfectly as a globe?

Answer 70

A map causes distortions. Shapes and sizes are never all correct.

Question 71

Describe and explain the concept of a map scale.

Answer 71

Map scale refers to the relationship (or ratio) between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground.

Question 72

Contrast graphic map scales, fractional map scales, and verbal map scales.

Answer 72

A graphic scale uses an actual scale that has to be marked off and measured.
A fractional scale states the distance comparison as a fraction.
A verbal scale is a sentence that says what distance equals what distance.

Question 73

What is meant by a map scale with a representative fraction of 1/100,000 (also written 1:100,000)?

Answer 73

1 unit of measure on the map is equal to 100,000 units of the same unit on actual Earth.

Question 74

Explain the difference between large-scale maps and small-scale maps.

Answer 74

small-scale maps cover a larger area and have less information. A large scale map will focus in on one particular area and hold more detail.

Question 75

what is meant by map projection?

Answer 75

a system in which the spherical surface of Earth is transformed for display on a flat surface.

Question 76

Explain the differences between an equivalent (equal area) map projection and a conformal map projection.

Answer 76

In equivalent maps, the sizes are correctly corresponding to the actual sizes on Earth throughout the entire map. In conformal maps, the shapes are maintained across the map.

Question 77

Is it possible for a map to be both conformal and equivalent?

Answer 77

No because the size of the map differs from the actual size of the Earth and something must be distorted.

Question 78

What is a compromise map projection?

Answer 78

A map that is neither equivalent nor conformal but is reasonably balanced in size and shape.

Question 79

Briefly describe cylindrical projections.

Answer 79

The globe is mathematically “wrapped” around the cylinder so that the edges oft he paper touches the globe only at the equator creating a circle of tangency. There is no distortion at this circle but distortion increases as distance increases away from the circle.

Question 80

Briefly describe planar projections.

Answer 80

markings are projected onto a flat piece of paper that is tangent to a center lit globe at one point usually the north or south pole. There is no size distortion at the point of tangency but it increases as you move away from this point. They usually show just one hemisphere.

Question 81

Briefly describe conic projections.

Answer 81

markings are projected onto a cone wrapped tangent from a center lit globe. The pole is usually where the apex is. The circle of tangency coincides with a parallel. Distortion is least in the vicinity of the standard parallel and increases the further you move away.

Question 82

Briefly describe pseudocylindrical projections.

Answer 82

an oval projection. This projection wraps around the equator like a cylinder but it is curved in toward the poles. Usually the equator and a central meridian cross at right angles in the middle of the map. There is no distortion here but it increases as you move away form the point in any direction.

Question 83

Why is a Mercator projection useful as a navigation map? Why is it not ideal for use as a general purpose map?

Answer 83

It shows thumb lines as straight lines. A navigator can first plot the shortest distance and then transfer the route to a mercator with these straight lines.

Question 84

What is a loxodrome (rhumb line)?

Answer 84

a curve on the surface of a sphere that crosses all meridians at the same angle and represent a line of constant compass direction.

Question 85

Explain the concept of isolines.

Answer 85

Any line that joins points of equal value of something

Question 86

What characteristics on maps are shown by isotherms, isobars, and elevation contour lines?

Answer 86

points of equal temperature. points of equal atmospheric pressure. points of equal elevation

Question 87

How does a digital elevation model (DEM) depict the landscape?

Answer 87

From digital elevation data, a computer can generate a shaded-relief image of the landscape by portraying the landscape as if it were illuminated from the northwest by the Sun

Question 88

Briefly explain how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works.

Answer 88

GPS is a system of 24+ navigation satellites circling Earth. We know where they are because they constantly send out signals. A GPS receiver in your phone listens for these signals. Once the receiver calculates its distance from four or more GPS satellites, it can figure out where you are.

Question 89

What are permanent gases?

Answer 89

Permanent gases have little effect on weather and climate. The three main permanent gases include Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon. Other permanent gases include neon, helium, krypton, and hydrogen.

Question 90

what are variable gases?

Answer 90

Variable gases occur in small but highly variable quantities in the atmosphere and have significant influence on weather and climate. The three main variable gases are Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, and Ozone. Other variable gases include methane, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and various hydrocarbons.

Question 91

Describe the most important permanent gases of the atmosphere.

Answer 91

Nitrogen (N2) 78.08%​
Oxygen (O2) 20.95%​
Argon (Ar) 0.93%​
Neon, Helium, Krypton 0.0001%

Question 92

What role does water vapor play in atmospheric processes?

Answer 92

Water Vapor - water in the form of a gas/its invisible/most abundant in air overlying warm moist surface areas such as tropical oceans

Question 93

What role does carbon dioxide play in atmospheric processes?

Answer 93

Carbon Dioxide - significant influence on climate, primarily because of its ability to absorb thermal infrared radiation. and thereby help warm the lower atmosphere.

Question 94

What role does ozone play in atmospheric processes?

Answer 94

Ozone - vital gas/concentrated in a layer called the ozone layer. 9-30 miles above Earth’s surface. excellent absorber of ultraviolet solar radiation. It filters out enough of this radiation to protect life forms

Question 95

what role do particulates (aerosols) play in atmospheric processes?

Answer 95

Particulates (aerosols)- larger non-gaseous particles in the atmosphere. solid and liquid particles found in the atmosphere (i.e. rain, hail, sleet, etc.) are collectively called particulates (aerosols).

Question 96

How has the burning of fossil fuels over the last 200 years changed the composition of the atmosphere?

Answer 96

For the past 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and deforestation have caused the concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases to increase significantly in our atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. As a result, temperatures across the globe are risiing.

Question 97

Describe both the vertical distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere and its horizontal (geographic) distribution near Earth’s surface.

Answer 97

most water vapor is found near the Earths surface and generally diminishes with increasing altitude. Over 10 miles above Earth, the temperature is so low that any moisture in the air has frozen.

Question 98

Discuss the size and general temperature characteristics of the troposphere and stratosphere.

Answer 98

Troposphere - lowest layer of the atmosphere and the one in contact with Earths surface. on average the top is 11 miles above sea level and 5 miles about the poles

Stratosphere - next to lowest at 11-30 miles above sea level.

Question 99

Describe how atmospheric pressure changes with increasing altitude.

Answer 99

Atmospheric pressure is highest at the bottom of the sea and diminishes rapidly with increasing altitude.

Question 100

What is the ozone layer, and where is it located?

Answer 100

The ozone layer is the layer between 9-30 miles above sea level. It gets its name because that is where the highest concentration of ozone relative to other gasses.

Question 101

How is ozone formed and why is it important in the atmosphere?

Answer 101

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun is divided into three bands (from longest to shortest wavelengths): UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. In the stratosphere, under the influence of UV-C, O2 molecules split into oxygen atoms; some of the free oxygen atoms combine with O2 molecules to form O2 About 90 percent of all atmospheric ozone is found in the stratosphere where it forms a fragile “shield” by absorbing most of the potentially dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

Question 102

What is meant by the “hole” in the ozone layer, and what role have chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) played in this?

Answer 102

scientists believe that the ozone layer is thinning because of (CFCs) which are substances like halons/ methyl bromide and nitrous oxide and freon

Question 103

Describe and contrast primary pollutants and secondary pollutants in the atmosphere.

Answer 103

Primary pollutants are contaminants released directly into the air, such as particulates, sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, carbon oxides, and hydrocarbon.

Secondary pollutants, such as photochemical smog, are not released directly into the air but
instead form as a consequence of chemical reactions or other processes in the atmosphere

Question 104

Describe and explain the causes of photochemical smog.

Answer 104

A number of gases react to ultraviolet radiation in strong sunlight to produce secondary pollutants, making up what is known as photochemical smog

Question 105

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Answer 105

Weather - short-run atmospheric conditions that exist for a given time in a specific area.

Climate - the aggregate of day to day weather conditions over a long period of time

Question 106

What are the four elements of weather and climate?

Answer 106

1) temperature
2) moisture content
3) pressure
4) wind

Question 107

Briefly describe the seven dominant controls of weather and climate.

Answer 107

In terms of elements and controls, we say that the control latitude strongly influences the element temperature. Overall, latitude is the most fundamental control of climate. Probably the most fundamental distinction concerning the geography of climate is the distinction between continental climates and maritime (oceanic) climates.General circulation of the Atmosphere: The atmosphere is in constant motion, with flows that range from temporary local breezes to vast regional wind regimes.General circulation of the oceans: Somewhat analogous to atmospheric movements are the motions of the oceans Altitude topographic barriers: Mountains and large hills sometimes have prominent effects on one or more elements of climate by diverting wind flow storms: Various kinds of storms occur over the world; some have very widespread distribution, whereas others are localized

Question 108

Describe the Coriolis effect and its cause.

Answer 108

Stated in the simplest terms: As a result of the rotation of Earth, the path of any free-moving object appears to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 109

What prevents the atmosphere from “escaping” into space?

Answer 109

Gravity

Question 110

In what ways was life on Earth responsible for the composition of our modern atmosphere?

Answer 110

human activity has increased the release of sulfur compounds into the atmosphere, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum

Question 111

Why is it inappropriate to talk about a change in climate from last year to this year?

Answer 111

because climate covers day to day weather conditions over a long period of time.

Question 112

Why does the Coriolis effect influence the direction of ocean currents but not the direction of water draining down in a kitchen sink?

Answer 112

It doesn’t except that the water goes down toward the center of the earth

Question 113

what is the difference between heat (thermal energy) and temperature?

Answer 113

The core difference is that heat deals with thermal energy, whereas temperature is more concerned with molecular kinetic energy. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy, whereas temperature is a property the object exhibits

Question 114

What is the relationship between the internal kinetic energy of a substance and its temperature?

Answer 114

Kinetic energy is the energy that an object has because of its motion. The molecules in a substance have a range of kinetic energies because they don’t all move at the same speed. As a substance absorbs heat the particles move faster so the average kinetic energy and therefore the temperature increases.

Question 115

Briefly describe the following bands of electromagnetic radiation (radiant energy): visible light, ultraviolet (UV), Infrared (IR), thermal infrared.

Answer 115

Visible light - wavelengths of radiation to which the human eye is sensitive

Ultraviolet (UV ) -wavelengths of radiation just shorter than the human eye can sense

Infrared - wavelengths of radiation just longer than the human eye can sense

Thermal infrared - wavelengths emitted by the sun

Question 116

Describe and contrast the portions of the electromagnetic spectrum referred to as shortwave radiation and longwave radiation (terrestrial radiation).

Answer 116

Shortwave radiation - visible light, ultraviolet and short infrared radiation. (solar radiation)

Longwave radiation - radiation emitted by earth or terrestrial radiation is entirely in the thermal infrared portion of the spectrum. (terrestrial radiation)

Question 117

What is insolation?

Answer 117

insolation (incoming solar radiation) it is received at the top of the atmosphere and is believed to be constant when averaged over a year

Question 118

Describe and contrast the following processes associated with electromagnetic energy: radiation (emission), absorption, reflection, and transmission.

Answer 118

Radiation (emission) - the process by which electromagnetic energy is emitted from an object

Absorption - atmosphere absorbs the radiation and heats up then radiates back out in accordance with Wein’s law

Reflection - a redirection of solar radiation

Transmission - the process where electromagnetic waves pass completely through a medium. the radiation isn’t absorbed nor reflected. (ie passing through glass)

Question 119

What generally happens to the temperature of an object as a response to the absorption of electromagnetic radiation?

Answer 119

Increase in temperature

Question 120

What is albedo?

Answer 120

Albedo - a = amount reflected over amount struck x 100

Albedo - the overall reflectivity of an object or surface usually described as a percentage- the higher the albedo the greater the amount of radiation reflected.

Question 121

How is scattering different from reflection?

Answer 121

Gas molecules and particulate matter in the air can deflect light waves and redirect them in a type of reflection known as scattering. With reflection the solar radiation goes back out the same way

Question 122

Describe and explain the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere, noting the two most important natural greenhouse gases.

Answer 122

Greenhouse effect- where gases in the atmosphere readily transmit incoming shortwave radiation from the sun but do not easily transmit outgoing longwave terrestrial radiation- the most important gases are water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Question 123

What is the difference between conduction and convection?

Answer 123

While conduction is the transfer of heat energy by direct contact, convection is the movement of heat by actual motion of matter

Question 124

How and why does conduction influence the temperature of air above a warm surface? Above a cold surface?

Answer 124

warm surface: the Earth’s surface heats the air above it through conduction because as it transfers the warmth away from the surface

cold surface: heat transfers from the air to the ground making the air above colder

Question 125

Describe the pattern of air movement within a convection cell.

Answer 125

warm air circulates from the Earth’s surface and rises while the cool air circulates towards the Earth’s surface

Question 126

Describe the process of advection in the atmosphere

Answer 126

the horizontal movement of air within a convection cell

Question 127

how does expansion lead to adiabatic cooling, and compression to adiabatic warming?

Answer 127

(adiabatic means without loss or gain of energy)

cooling: expansion occurs in rising air is a cooling process. as air rises, molecules move through a greater volume in space decreasing the temperature
warming: air descent causes compression because the air is under increasing pressure. when air descends it becomes warmer.

Question 128

what happens to the temperature of rising air? of descending air? why?

Answer 128

rising air becomes cooler because there’s less pressure which means that molecules have a large volume of which they can move about. the opposite happens with descending air

Question 129

what is latent heat?

Answer 129

any phase change that involves an exchange of energy; like evaporation and condensation – latent heat can either be stored or released