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earth science > topic 2 > Flashcards

topic 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Oblate sphere def

A

is a flattened sphere

1.Flattened at the poles
2.bulging a the equator
3.The equatorial circumference is greater than the polar circumference

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2
Q

What two things cause the earth to be round ish?

A

Gravity and centrifugal force

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3
Q

Gravity def

A

An inward pulling force that is equal in all directions causing Earth to be spherical

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4
Q

Weight def

A

amount of gravity affecting an object

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5
Q

Centrifugal force def and what is causes.

A

Centrifugal force - an outward force caused by the spinning (rotating) of Earth on its Axis
. This causes Earth to bulge at the equator

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6
Q

Evidence #1 earth is not flat:

A
  1. Photographs from space reveal that Earth is almost a perfect sphere. - best piece of evidence
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7
Q

Evidence #2 earth is not flat:

A
  1. Observation of ships on the horizon.

.The gradual appearance or disappearance of a boat over the horizon explains that Earth is curved.

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8
Q

Evidence #3 the earth is not flat:

A
  1. Observation of a Lunar Eclipse.
    .During a lunar eclipse Earth’s shadow reveals its spherical shape.
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9
Q

Measurment of Gravity def:

A

the shorter the distance between two objects, the greater the gravitational force.

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10
Q

Because of the earth being an oblate sphereoid the poles are closer to the center of Earth therefore:

A

gravity is stronger at the poles causing a person to weigh more at the poles.

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11
Q

If earth was a perfect sphere what would happen to your weight?

A

If Earth was a perfect sphere you would weigh the same everywhere on Earth.

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12
Q

Observation of the North Star (Polaris).

A

the altitude of Polaris is always equal to the latitude of the observer. Proving Earth is curved.

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13
Q

Facts about Polaris:

A

Polaris is a star that is located directly above the North Pole. It can only be seen in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Earth rotates Polaris remains in the same location in space.

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14
Q

What happends if you measure the altitude of polaris?

A

you get your latitude

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15
Q

Astrolabe

A

instrument used to measure the altitude of objects above the horizon.

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16
Q
A
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17
Q

Earths spheres in order of least dense to most dense.

A

Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere

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18
Q

What holds together our three outer spheres

A

Earth’s 3 outer spheres are held together by gravity.

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19
Q

Gravity has arranged our spheres in what order?

A

from lowest to highest density.

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20
Q

What does the Atmosphere contain and what is it mostly composed of? is it the least dense?

A

The layer of gases that surrounds Earth above the surface. Composed mostly of Nitrogen and Oxygen, Least dense of Earth’s spheres.

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21
Q

What does the Hydrosphere contain?

A

liquid water that is between the atmosphere and solid layer earth.

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22
Q

What percentage does the hydrosphere cover over the earth?

A

70%

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23
Q

Hydrosphere thickness:

A

average of only 3.8k km

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24
Q

Lithosphere description:

A

The layer of rock that forms the solid outer shell of Earth.

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25
What is the uppermost portion of the crust called?
the crust
26
What is the lithosphere's density compared to the other spheres
the most dense
27
The crust is composed mostly of ____ by volume
oxygen
28
The hydrosphere is composed mostly of ____ by volume
hydrogen by volume
29
The troposphere is composed mostly ________by volume
nitrogen
30
What is the region extending from Earth;s rocky surface?
the center
31
Coordinate System explanation
Latitude and Longitude is used to locate points on Earth’s surface. Measured in degrees and minutes (60 minutes/degree).
32
latitude explanation
distance North or South of the equator.
33
Parallels explanation
lines of latitude that run east/west “parallel” to the equator.
34
equator -
0
35
Poles
90 N or S
36
What star do we use to calculate our latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
Polaris
37
Longitude -
distance East or West of the Prime Meridian.
38
Meridian
– lines of longitude that run north/south to poles.
39
Prime Meridian
0
40
International Date Line -
180˚ E or W
41
latitude and longitude alone are not enough so we break down latitude and longitude into smaller more manageable units:
60 minutes
42
The time of earth is based onwhat?
Based on the rotation of Earth.
43
how many degrees does the earth rotate per hour
Earth rotates 15˚ per hour.
44
All places on the same Longitude have the same what?
local time
45
When the sun is highest over head it is what in any location along that line of longitude?
12 noon
46
Solar noon is evidence for what?
Solar noon is evidenced when the shadow of a vertical object is cast in a north/south direction.
47
What is one complete rotation of earth in hours?
24 hours
48
one complete rotation is what for earth?
360 degrees
49
earth rotates how many degrees per hour?
15 degrees per hour
50
Earth is composed of how many time zones?
24 time zones
51
how wide is each time zone?
15 degrees
52
Is it earlier of later in california compared to NY
earlier
53
WEEL
WEST EARLIER EAST LATER
54
how many and what are the U.S Time Zones
4: pacific, eastern, central, mountain
55
As earth rotates its axis what are the faces of the earth doing
one half is facing the sun while the other is in darkness
56
Field map def
illustrates a measured field value taken from he environment
57
What to remember about field values:
things that can be measured in an environment
58
Types of field values:
temperature elevation(depth) atmospheric (air) pressure wind speeds relative humidity sound levels
59
Field values are represented on maps by:
the use of lines that connect points of equal value
60
What are the types of Isolines?
Isotherm Isobars Contour lines
61
What are the rules of drawing isolines?
Draw isolines based on the stated interval. Draw the isoline through the dot of the field value. If there are no values for the interval required, you must create a best fit isoline. Best fit isolines should be appropriate. Example: A field value of 5 or 25 should not appear between isolines of 10 and 20. Never cross isolines!! If the isoline does not connect in a circular form, simply extend the isoline off the page.
62
what is a field gradient?
the change in field value over a distance
63
Isotherm def
lines which connect points of equal temperature
64
Isobars def
lines which connect points of equal air pressure
65
Contour lines def
lines which connect points of equal elevation.
66
How is the estimations of a gradients done?
by observing the closeness of the isolines.
67
The closer together the isolines, the ______ the gradient
greater
68
The father away the isolines, the _____ the gradient
smaller
69
what are contour maps also know as?
topographic maps
70
what are topographic maps?
they are flat models depicting the elevation of Earth’s surface.
71
what do contour lines do?
model Earth’s surface features or landforms.
72
Contour lines are isolines that connect points of what?
equal elevation
73
contour interval-
-the difference in elevation between consecutive contour lines.
74
a map has how many countour intervals?
1
75
HOW DO YOU TELL WHERE DOES A STREAM FLOWS
STREAMS AND RIVERS FLOW OPPOSSITE OF THE CONTOUR LINE BENDS.
76
what do contour lines do when they cross a stream?
When contour lines cross a stream, they bend upward toward higher elevation.
77
Elevation increases inside consecutive looping contour lines. Indicating what?
hill or mountain
78
the highest elevation cannot exceed what?
the next contour interval.
79
Depression contour lines/hatchered lines description:
marked with small lines pointing toward the center of the depression.
80
f not marked, the 1st depression contour has what?
same value as the previous contour line.
81
Each contour line inside the depression is how much less??
one interval less.
82
how are index contour lines indicated?
Often maps have a thicker, bold contour line indicating the index contour.
83
what are index contour lines used as?
Used as a reference contour line.
84
Oceans have what elevation?
0
85
what are symbols used for?
to identify natural and man-made features.
86
where are graphic symbols shown?
in the key of a topographic map
87
a profile is what view of Earths landscape?
a side view
88
profiles can reveal what?
Profiles can reveal the third dimension (elevation) of a contour map.

earth science (22 decks)

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