question

Holistic

answer

all forms of geography

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Spatial

answer

anything that can be mapped

question

Equilibrium

answer

balance, the Earth's ultimate goal

question

Oblate Spheroid

answer

the true shape of the Earth = poles are flattened and it bulges in the center

question

Plane of the Ecliptic

answer

orbital plane the Earth is on while revolving around the sun (an imaginary line)

question

Axial tilt

answer

23.5 degrees from the perpendicular line relative to the Plane of the Ecliptic

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Polarity

answer

North Pole points toward the North Star

question

Rotational Axis

answer

line from North to South pole

question

Latitude

answer

measures the distance to the North and South of the equator (marks bulge)

question

Longitude

answer

measures the distance to the East and West of the Prime Meridian

question

important grid properties

answer

1) they converge at the poles 2) the distance between the lines becomes greater in latitude and smaller in longitude, the higher and lower you go on the globe.

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Projection

answer

process for transferring the Earth's 3D date to a 2D surface.

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Developable Surface

answer

surface that the data is projected onto

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Standard Parallel

answer

line of latitude where the developable surface touches the globe

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Projection Distortion

answer

Impossible to make an undistorted image, shape or area will always be distorted.

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Conformal Projection

answer

land area is distorted but shape of coastline is preserved

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Equal Area Projection

answer

shape of coastlines is distorted, but area is preserved.

question

Compromise Projection

answer

both shape and area are distorted, but the purpose is to minimize the distortion of the other two maps.

question

What are the 2 types of maps and what are they?

answer

1) reference maps = exact replica of what is on the Earth's surface. 2) thematic maps = snow data or a phenomenon: land use, rainfall, etc.

question

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION #1: What are the essential components of a map and what are they used for?

answer

Title = what am i looking at and what is it's purpose Date = when was it made, how current is the information Legend = tells me what the symbols/colors mean Direction = north arrow or compass rose helps me orient myself Location = absolute: where I am on the geographic grid relative: where I am relative to other physical and cultural features. Date Source: tells me where the data from the map came from so I can decide if it's credible Projection: I need to know this so that I can correctly use this map Scale: How I can calculate distance using this map

question

Fraction / Graph / Verbal

answer

What types of map scales are there?

question

What types of maps are there and what are they typically?

answer

Large scale maps show a small geographical area with more detail (city, mall, school maps) Small scale maps show a large geographical area with little details (wall maps for homes/classrooms; rainfall maps, etc)

question

Insolation

answer

incoming solar radiation

question

short rays = energy

answer

What kind of rays does the Earth receive?

question

long waves = temperature

answer

What kind of waves does the Earth emit?

question

Earth's rotation

answer

every 24 hours and 15 degrees of longitude per hour

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Earth's revolution

answer

revolves in an elliptical shape. The further away the Earth is from the Sun.

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Circle of Illumination

answer

line that divides the dark and light hemispheres of the Earth

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Arctic Circle

answer

66.5 degrees N

question

Tropic of Cancer

answer

23.5 degrees N

question

Equator

answer

0 degrees latitude

question

Tropic of Capricorn

answer

23.5 degrees S

question

Antarctic Circle

answer

66.5 degrees S

question

North Pole

answer

90 degrees N

question

What is the significance of the Earth's tilt and rotation?

answer

The Earth's tilt and rotation determines what season it is in different parts of the world at any given time. It determines the time of day and whether or not there will be daylight at all.

question

Spring or autumn Equinox

answer

The time of year when direct rays are striking the Equator and the Circle of Illumination passes thru the poles giving equal days and equal nights.

question

Summer Solstice (June Solstice)

answer

The time of year when direct rays are striking the Tropic of Cancer The area north of the Arctic Circle does not cross the Circle of Illumination and the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun therefore they get 24 hours of Sun. In the area south of the Antarctic Circle, they will not cross the Circle of Illumination because the South Pole is tilted away from the Sun, therefore having 24 hours of darkness.

question

Winter Solstice (December Solstice)

answer

The time of year when direct rays are striking the Tropic of Capricorn The area north of the Arctic Circle does not cross the Circle of Illumination and the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun therefore they get 24 hours of darkness. In the area south of the Antarctic Circle, they will not cross the Circle of Illumination because the South Pole is tilted toward the Sun, therefore having 24 hours of Sun.

question

types of sun rays that hit the Earth

answer

Direct Rays: strike the Earth's surface at a 90 degree angle. Energy is concentrated over a small geographical area. Oblique Rays: strike at less than 90 degrees so the energy is spread over a larger surface area.

question

difference between Aphelion and Perihelion

answer

Aphelion is the farthest distance the Earth is from the Sun. Perihelion is the shortest distance the Earth is from the Sun.

question

role of albedo variation in Earth's energy budget

answer

albedo helps the Earth try to maintain equilibrium. Our albedo is about 30%, our atmosphere reflects 30% of the suns rays. About 50% of the energy absorption happens in the atmosphere and 50% from the surface of the Earth to the beginning of the atmosphere. About 5% of the energy is conducted back into the atmosphere from the Earth's surface.

question

significance of latent heat energy

answer

latent heat is any phase change that involves an exchange of energy. In evaporation, latent energy is stored, a cooling process, and condensation latent heat is released, a warming process.

question

relationship between pressure, altitude & temperature

answer

The lower the pressure & the lower the altitude and generally, warmer air. Since air flows from high to low down the pressure gradient, when you get to a higher altitude the pressure is higher and the temperature is lower.

question

relationship between shortwave and longwave radiation and what is their relation to energy

answer

the sun is our only significant source of energy to supply our atmospheric processes. shortwave or solar radiation is visible light coming into the earth. longwave is thermal radiation emitted by the earth causing our temperature. they are both ultimately derived from the sun's radiation.

question

troposphere

answer

the lowest layer of the atmosphere: the one in contact with the Earth's surface and turbulent.

question

stratosphere

answer

roughly 10 miles above sea level to 30 miles and stagnant.

question

conduction

answer

transfer of heat from one molecule to another without changes in their relative positions

question

convection

answer

energy is transferred from one point to another by the predominantly vertical circulation of fluid such as air or water.

question

scattering

answer

when gas molecules and particulate matter in the air deflect light waves and redirect them

question

absorption

answer

electromagnetic waves striking an object may be assimilated by that object

question

reflection

answer

the ability of an object to repel "bounce back" electromagnetic waves that strike it

Physical Geography – Exam 1: Chapters 1-6 – Flashcards

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