exam one phys geo Flashcards
What is the definition of geography?
The science that studies the spatial relationships among natural systems, geographic areas, societies, and the interdependence of all of these over space
What is the definition of physical geography?
the spacial analysis of all the physical elements and processes that make up the environment
Is earth a closed or open system?
both. earth cannot survive without solar energy (so open system) matter can survive (so closed system)
Who first calculated the earth’s circumference?
247 B.C. Eratosthenes
Latitude and longitude
longitude- an angular distance east or west of a surface location measured from a point at the center of the earth
latitude- an angular distance north or south of the equator measured from a point at the center of the earth
The diameter of the earth is longest when measured around what?
The equator
What is the angle of the earth’s tilt?
23.5 degrees
What is the meridian?
the line of 0° longitude
Difference between small scale and large scale map?
small scale covers a larger area
Geographical information system
combine spatial and attribute data, maps can contain multiple data layers
Remote sensing
active remote sensing = radar
passive remote sensing = visible light and infrared
What is the speed of light?
About 300 million meters per second
What is the earth’s average distance from the sun?
150,000,000 km
What is the ophelion?
closest at January 3rd
147,255,000km
What is the parihelion
farthest at July 4th
152,083,000km
What is the shape of earth’s orbit around the sun?
elliptical, oval
What are the three criteria to classify the atmosphere?
Composition, temperature, and function
What are the different types of atmosphere?
Heterosphere and homosphere
What is the order of chemicals by gravity in the homosphere?
nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide
What is the function of the ozonosphere?
absorbs UV energy
What is temperature inversion?
a layer in the atmosphere in which air temperature increases with height
What is photochemical pollution?
air pollution containing ozone and other reactive chemical compounds formed by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons
What is refraction?
the bending of a ray when it passes at an angle from one medium into another in which its speed is different
What is albedo?
the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight
Where is the highest albedo? What about the lowest?
High = snow, low = oceans
What is the relationship between insolation and temperature
difference in insolation causes air to flow from a warm latitude to a cooler one.
insolation increases with altitude while temperature decreases
insolation is short wave temp is longer
What is scattering? Why is the sky blue?
changing direction of light’s movement without altering its wavelengths shorter wavelengths, more scattering
What is the definition of conduction?
molecule-to-molecule transfer
no molecule movement
ex: frying pan
What is the distribution of shortwave and longwave energy over the earth’s surface by latitude?
the distribution shows an imbalance of net radiation from equator to poles.
What is the hottest time of day? Why?
2-4pm, because of the earth’s tilt
What is the radiation balance in a middle latitude location?
equatorial and tropical energy surplus
What is the urban heat island effect?
because of undulation in the topography and surplus of surfaces that absorb and retain heat, densely urban areas tend to experience increases in temperature
What is the biosphere?
nature and animals (+humans)
What is the lithosphere?
earth’s crust and outer mantle
What is the atmosphere?
the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth
What is the hydrosphere?
all the water on the planet
