Weeks 1-3 Content

Question 1

Define Geography

Answer 1

1) processes, features, and phenomena of the earth
2) interaction between humans and environment

Question 2

What do geographers study? (4)

Answer 2

1) movement of matter/energy/water
2) changes in space
3) changes over time
4) processes (interactions between matter & energy)

Question 3

What are the 4 spheres of Geography?

Answer 3

Biosphere, Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere

Question 4

What is an open system?

Answer 4

matter & energy can flow in and out (most common in nature)

Question 5

What is a closed system?

Answer 5

self-contained system where only energy can flow in/ out. (rare in nature)

Question 6

steady state condition

Answer 6

balanced system, rare changes

Question 7

steady state equilibrium

Answer 7

inputs & outputs are equal

Question 8

dynamic equilibrium

Answer 8

a trend in a specific change over time

Question 9

threshold/ tipping point

Answer 9

sudden change to equilibrium in a system

Question 10

positive feedback

Answer 10

increase a response, stimulates a process, input & output drive system closer to extreme

Question 11

negative feedback

Answer 11

slows down a process, input & output neutralize each other’s effects, stabilizes

Question 12

3 types of models

Answer 12

conceptual, physical, and numerical

Question 13

latitude

Answer 13

angle distance N & S of equator

Question 14

longitude

Answer 14

angle distance E & W of equator

Question 15

meridian

Answer 15

imaginary N & S line that connects poles, indicates longitude

Question 16

Nomenclature for Lat & Long

Answer 16

(lat then long)__ (degrees), __’ (min), __” (seconds) (DIRECTION)

Question 17

define plasma

Answer 17

charged particles that escape sun’s gravity and hit earth, H+ atoms are formed via fusion

Question 18

radiation

Answer 18

photons of energy with wave & particle characteristics

Question 19

hotter surfaces have a) _______ wavelengths, cooler have b)______ wavelengths

Answer 19

a) smaller
b) larger

Question 20

inverse square law

Answer 20

intensity reduces based on the square of the distance from the source

Question 21

a) _______ inputs from the sun become b) ______ outputs from the earth

Answer 21

a) shortwave
b) longwave

Question 22

solar constant

Answer 22

amount of energy received by earth at the top of the atmosphere (1367W/m2)

Question 23

sub-solar point

Answer 23

where insolation arrives perpendicular to surface (only near equator). Energy is most concentrated there because the sun is directly overhead

Question 24

net radiation

Answer 24

inputs - outputs

Question 25

albedo

Answer 25

reflectivity, % of short wave radiation

Question 26

a) _____ albedo = radiation reflected, b) _____ albedo = radiation absorbed

Answer 26

a) high (bright surfaces)
b) low (dark surfaces)

Question 27

energy surplus

Answer 27

more energy gained than lost (tropical regions)

Question 28

energy deficit

Answer 28

more energy lost than gained (polar areas)

Question 29

plane of ecliptic

Answer 29

the plane on which the earth moves around the sun. marks subsolar point

Question 30

axial parallelism

Answer 30

angle of the earth’s axis stays the same throughout the earth’s rotation around the sun

Question 31

what shape is the earth

Answer 31

oblate spheroid