lecture 1 - intro to physical geography

Question 1

geo means

Answer 1

earth

Question 2

graphein means

Answer 2

to write

Question 3

geography means

Answer 3

to write about the earth

Question 4

sytematic geography

Answer 4

is often divided into two broad areas – human and physical geography

Question 5

human geography

Answer 5

deals with social, economic, and behavioral processes that differentiate places.

Question 6

physical geography

Answer 6

is mainly concerned with the atmosphere, terrestrial and maritime environments on local, regional, and global scales.

Question 7

meteorology

Answer 7

explores the processes associated with short-term fluctuations in those properties of the atmosphere that form the basis of daily weather reports

Question 8

climotology

Answer 8

describes the results of these processes in terms of their variability in space and time

Question 9

geomorphology

Answer 9

is the science of Earth surface processes and landforms created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or near the Earth’s surface.

Question 10

geography of soils

Answer 10

primarily deals with the distribution of soil types and properties and the processes of soil formation

Question 11

in biogeoraphy:

Answer 11

we learn the distribution of organisms and the processes that produce these spatial patterns

Question 12

Natural hazards

Answer 12

involves with an understanding of physical processes, such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides, and provides the tool for assessing the impact.

Question 13

GIS

Answer 13

is a computer-based, data-processing tool for gathering, manipulating, and analyzing geographic information. Maps can contain multiple data layers:
Physical features
Cultural features
Layers can be added to create composite overlay.

Question 14

The art and science of map-making is called

Answer 14

cartography

Question 15

Remote sensing

Answer 15

is a technique used for acquiring spatial information through aircraft or spacecraft that provide images of the Earth’s surface

Question 16

Mathematics modelling and statistics

Answer 16

are frequently used to model geographic processes and it is a powerful approach to understanding both natural and human phenomena.

Question 17

statistics

Answer 17

provide methods to analyze data to assess differences, trends, and patterns

Question 18

Biodiversity

Answer 18

The diversity of Earth’s plants and animals which is an immensely valuable resource

Question 19

Pollution

Answer 19

Unchecked human activity can cause environmental pollution in the context of air and water

Question 20

abiotic

Answer 20

non living

Question 21

biotic

Answer 21

living

Question 22

abiotic spheres

Answer 22

atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere

Question 23

biotic sphere

Answer 23

biosphere

Question 24

systems apporach

Answer 24

A systems approach emphasizes how and where matter and energy flow in natural systems.

Question 25

flow systems

Answer 25

describe how matter and energy move from one location to another over time. Flow systems have a structure of interconnected pathways and require a power source (energy: kinetic, mechanical, heat, radiant, potential, stored, chemical).

Question 26

Open and Closed Flow Systems

Answer 26

Flow systems have inputs and outputs. Some flow systems are open since they have inputs and outputs of energy and matter. Some flow systems are closed in which materials move endlessly in a series of interconnected paths or loops (hydrologic cycle).

Question 27

hydrologic cycle

Answer 27

is an example of a closed system since water circulates between the biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.

Question 28

Feedback and Equilibrium in Flow Systems

Answer 28

Flow system feedback- outputs of a system influence the system’s operation through a pathway. It occurs when the flow in one pathway acts either to reduce or increase the flow in another pathway. Flow system equilibrium refers to a steady condition where the rates of inputs and outputs in the system are equal. Therefore the flow rates in a system’s various pathways do not change significantly

Question 29

time cycles

Answer 29

Flow system feedback- outputs of a system influence the system’s operation through a pathway. It occurs when the flow in one pathway acts either to reduce or increase the flow in another pathway. Flow system equilibrium refers to a steady condition where the rates of inputs and outputs in the system are equal. Therefore the flow rates in a system’s various pathways do not change significantly