Module 1: Elements of Physical Geography Flashcards
geography
study of our home planet and all of its components: its lands, waters, atmosphere, and interior
geographic thinking
Knowing where something is, and how its location influences its characteristics and relationships with other phenomena
spatial science
location, region, place, movement, human-environment interaction
location
the position in space
region
the area which compares temperatures, precipitation, vegetation, soils, and fauna found
place
an area that is defined with everything in it including its culture, language, and people
movement
migration by the human race in search of a better place to live, better food, or better climate
human-environment interaction
the use of dependency, adaptation, and modification to achieve specific goals of living
dependency
explores how humans are dependent on nature for a living
adaptation
relates to how humans modify themselves, their lifestyles and their behavior to live in a new environment
modification
modifying the environment for comfortable living
geographic continuum
when physical and human geography blend together to help scientists better understand the natural environment and world
physical geography
studies the natural attributes of the environment
human geography
deals with the human aspect, such as activities and culture
scientific method
observation, question, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, and conclusion
reference maps
meant to be used to view boundaries for specific geographic areas such as countries, cities, rivers, etc.
thematic maps
show not only locations but also attributes or statistics about spatial patterns of those attributes and the relationships between places
topographic maps
represent a 3D image in a 2Dmap, especially with contour lines
remote sensing and geographic information systems
Satellites combine state-of-the-art technology in imaging, communication, navigation, weather, espionage, and more to the study of Earth in detail
global positioning system
Uses a ground receptor, a minimum of 4 satellites, and a mathematical process called triangulation to determine your location.
remote sensing
the ability to study an object without touching it
visible spectrum
Your eyes are a remote sensor set up for a specific wavelength window (390-700 nm)
passive remote sensing
our eyes cannot see any other wavelength and also cannot see at night; absorbs electromagnetic energy reflected or transmitted by an object, similar to a photographic camera
active remote sensing
generates its own pulse of energy, like a police radar, sonars, and bats
