Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GEOG 1403 > Lab Exam 1 (1-4) > Flashcards

Lab Exam 1 (1-4) Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Aphelion?

A

Earth is the farthest from the sun on July 1 (N. hemisphere summer)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the Perihelion?

A

Earth is closest to the sun on January 1 (S. hemisphere summer)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What causes variations in temperatures?

A

Sphericity of the Earth
Tilt of the Earth and its axis as it orbits the sun
Day length

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How does sphericity affect the interception of the suns rays?

A
  1. it changes the surface area receiving the sun’s energy

2. the amount of atmosphere the sun’s energy must travel through to reach the Earth’s surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a sub solar point?

A

The point on the Earth that receives the most direct and intense rays of the sun - because the surface area is smaller

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How does atmosphere in the Northern and Southern part of the Earth affect temps?

A

the amount of atmosphere that energy must travel through increases with increase in latitude and the transition from direct to oblique rays

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What gives the Earth seasons?

A

The orbit around the sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is axial parallelism?

A

The tilt of the Earth remains fixed at 23.5*

Changes the length of days considerably with the change in latitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Does the subsolar point migrate?

A

Yes, from 23.5* N (Tropic of Cancer) to 23.5*S (Tropic of Capricorn)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the Circle of Illumination?

A

The portion of the Earth receiving solar energy
Formed perpendicularly to the income solar radiation
- during equinox N and S poles receive 12 hours of day and night
- during June solstice N pole gets 24 hours of light
- during December solstice N pole gets 24 hours of dark

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When are the Equinox/Solstices?

A

March 20: Vernal/March Equinox
June 20: June Solstice
September 22: Autumnal Equinox
December 21: December Solstice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the difference between the angle and the tilt of the Earth?

A

The angle stays the same at 23.5* and the tilt is either towards or away from the sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is weather?

A

The immediate conditions of the atmosphere at any specific time or place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is climate?

A

The weather of any spot is examined over a longer time span, consistent patterns begin to emerge in the ranges of temperature and precipitation that fall there

  • The long term average of recorded weather at a location
  • varies continuously throughout history and space
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a climograph?

A

Provides information about temp and precipitation

  • Useful for the differences in climate of 2 places in terms of warm/cold and wet/dry
  • precip = bars
  • temps = line
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Main factors influencing temps?

A

Latitude (& insolation)
Elevation
Continentality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is insolation?

A

Incoming Solar Radiation

  • amount of energy the Earth receives from the sun at the top of the atmosphere
  • high latitudes receive less total insolation over the course of a year
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Main feature of temp change with increasing latitude?

A

Related to the gradual increase in month-to-month temperature changes as you move away from the equator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Is there a difference in precipitation at ITCZ and equator?

A

ITCZ and near equator - receives a great deal of precipitation
- there is a dry period because the ITCZ migrates throughout the year

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe elevation.

A

The temperature of the atmosphere cools with increasing elevation (adiabatic lapse rate)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Why does cooling with elevation happen?

A

Density of air particles near the surface is greater than at higher elevations both due to the Earth’s gravitational pull and the diminishing weight of the atmosphere overhead.

22
Q

What is continentality?

A

Water surfaces warm and cool more slowly than land surfaces due to water’s higher specific heat.

23
Q

What is maritime climates?

A

A steadier climate because there are bodies of water nearby

24
Q

What is a continental climate?

A

More dramatic changes in temps because no body of water to regulate temps

25
Q

What factors affect precipitation?

A

Latitude and atmospheric circulation
Converging and subsiding air
Frontal lifting and precipitation
Orographic processes

26
Q

How does latitude impact precipitation?

A

Because air temps and the ability to hold moisture in vapor form, are in part related to altitude
- cold air generally holds less moisture = less precipitation

27
Q

What is converging air?

A

Subsiding - leads to low pressure at the surface and the formation of clouds and precipitation as the air rises, cools, and water vapor condenses

28
Q

What is subsiding air?

A

Sinking - occurs around 30* N and S and the poles(because of the cold air condensing particles), causing air to warm as it compresses, which leads to drying, inhibiting the formation of precipitation

29
Q

What is frontal lifting?

A
  • Happens above deserts

- Particularly in winter months

30
Q

What causes frontal lifting?

A

Cold air is typically denser than warm air, warmer air masses tend to override an advancing cold air masses because the cooler air stays near the ground.
- when air is forced to rise, it could and forms clouds and rain

31
Q

What is orographic lifting?

A

Occurs when air is forced to rise up and over mountain ranges
- when it cools it holds less water vapor leading to a lower dew point and the formation of precipitation

32
Q

What is a time series plot?

A

Displays the variation in a variable such as precipitation over the period of record and helps highlights periods of anomalous weather

  • time variable along the X
  • interest variable along the Y
33
Q

What is a biome?

A

A large terrestrial ecosystem characterized by specific plant communities and formations

34
Q

Biome boundaries.

A
  • Similar climates have similar biomes but may differ in terms of specific plants there
  • identifying a specific boundary between biomes can be difficult
35
Q

What are ecotones?

A

Areas between biomes where vegetation types are gradually changing

36
Q

What is seasonality for biomes?

A

It isn’t the hot/cold, wet/dry, or vegetation types/patterns, its the timing of the temps.

37
Q

6 major types of biomes.

A

Forest - tree dominated with continuous canopy
savanna - mix of trees and grasses
Grassland - dominated by grass
Shrub-land - similar to woody plants that typically do not grow tall
Desert - specific plants with specialized adaptations to survive when water availability is limited during at least some portion of the year
tundra - plants that are typically small with specialized adaptations to short, cool growing seasons

38
Q

What are the biomes of MN?

A

Prairie grassland - Southwestern part of state
Deciduous forest - Southeastern part of state
Tall grass apen parkland - Northwestern part of state
Coniferous forest - Northeastern part of state

39
Q

What is the climate and vegetation of the Coniferous Forest?

A
  • cool and moist
  • cold winters and cool summers from arctic air masses
  • moisture levels maintained by summer rain and winter snow
40
Q

What is the climate and vegetation of the Deciduous forest?

A
  • Air of Gulf brings warm summer and humid, sunny days
  • Gives a long good growing season
  • optimum moisture and sunlight
41
Q

What is the climate of the Prairie Biome?

A
  • lower rainfall and warmer summer temps than other biomes
42
Q

Describe the adaptations plants made to Coniferous Forest.

A
  • adapted to cold
  • able to live in very thin layer of soil over bedrock
  • able to begin photo synthesis right away in spring because of needles
43
Q

Describe the adaptations plants made to Deciduous Forest.

A
  • leaves drop for winter

- decomposed leaves give nutrients to soil for trees

44
Q

Describe the adaptations plants made to the Prairie biome.

A
  • plants have massive roots

- if fire or drought kills plants, able to grow easily

45
Q

What are the advantages of broad-leaf vs. needle-leaf trees in deciduous and coniferous forests?

A

BROAD-LEAF:
- when fall to ground more nutrients for trees to pick up
- very important to gain these nutrients back in summer
NEEDLE-LEAF:
- able to grow back and start working sooner in spring
- only lose needles every 2-15 years so less energy focused on that

46
Q

Why are so few trees in prairie biome?

A

fire, bison, and drought

47
Q

What natural factors might lead to a lack of trees?

A

wildflowers and grasses

48
Q

What is the dominant plant-type in the prairie biome?

A

underground growing points and plants are able to go dormant during drought periods

49
Q

What is an ecotone?

A

A place where a mixture of biomes collide.

50
Q

What factors other than temp and price do you think could explain potential biome discrepancies?

A
  • location on a global scale - if MN was lower it would be completely different with temps and price
  • winds - movement of air masses and pressure systems

GEOG 1403 (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions