Physical Geography Final Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering important terms and concepts in Physical Geography, ideal for exam preparation.

Geography

The study of the Earth's physical features, environments, and the relationships between people and their environments.

Physical Geography

The branch of geography dealing with natural features and processes.

Earth’s Four Spheres

The four major divisions of Earth's environment: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Circumference

The distance around the Earth measured around its equator.

Diameter

The distance across the Earth through its center.

Latitude

The geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface.

Longitude

The geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.

Parallel

A circle of latitude that is equidistant from the equator.

Meridian

A line of longitude that runs from pole to pole.

Maps

Visual representations of an area, showing physical and political features.

Scales

Ratios that show the relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground.

Projections

Methods of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map.

Large scale

Maps that show a smaller area in greater detail.

Small scale

Maps that show a larger area with less detail.

Remote Sensing

The acquisition of information about an object or area from a distance, typically using satellites or aircraft.

GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite Systems; systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning.

GIS

Geographic Information Systems; software used for mapping and analyzing spatial data.

Spatial Science Technologies

Technologies used to collect, analyze, and interpret spatial and geographic information.

Earth’s orbit

The path taken by the Earth as it revolves around the Sun.

Perihelion

The point in the Earth's orbit when it is closest to the Sun.

Aphelion

The point in the Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun.

Electromagnetic spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation.

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface.

Seasonal changes

Variations in climate and daylight that occur at different times of the year.

Reasons for Seasons

The tilt of the Earth's axis and its revolution around the Sun lead to seasonal differences.

Revolution

The movement of the Earth around the Sun.

Rotation

The spinning of the Earth on its axis.

Tilt of Earth’s axis

The angle at which the Earth’s axis is tilted, affecting climate and seasons.

Annual 'march of the seasons'

The yearly progression of seasonal changes experienced on Earth.

Solstices

The points in the year when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.

Equinoxes

The points in the year when day and night are of approximately equal length.

Atmospheric Profile

A vertical representation of the atmosphere showing its various layers.

Atmospheric Temperature

The temperature measured at various layers of the atmosphere: thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.

Ionosphere

A part of the Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation.

Ozonosphere

A region of the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone.

Air Pollution

The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere.

Energy Essentials

Basic principles regarding how energy is transferred and transformed in the atmosphere.

Transmission

The passing of energy through a medium.

Insolation input

The amount of solar energy received by a specific area.

Scattering of Light

The redirection of light waves by particles in the atmosphere.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes through different mediums.

Albedo

The measure of how much light is reflected by a surface.

Reflection

The bouncing of light off surfaces.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through direct contact.

Convection

The movement of heat through fluids due to density differences.

Advection

The horizontal transfer of heat or other atmospheric properties.

Radiation

The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves.

Clouds

Visible masses of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere.

Energy Budget by Latitude

The balance of incoming and outgoing energy at different latitudes.

Simplified Surface Energy Balance

A straightforward approach to analyzing how energy is distributed at the Earth's surface.

Global Circulation Model

A method for simulating the Earth's climate system.

Trade Winds

Strong winds that blow from east to west in the tropics.

Westerlies

Winds that blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes.

ITCZ

Intertropical Convergence Zone; a low pressure belt where trade winds meet.

STH

Sub-Tropical High; a high pressure zone located in the subtropics.

Wind Essentials

Fundamental principles governing wind behavior.

Air Pressure

The weight of the air above a given point on the Earth's surface.

Pressure Gradient Force

The force that results from differences in air pressure.

Coriolis force

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds.

Hemispheric Pressure Areas

High and low-pressure systems that form in different hemispheres.

Subpolar Low-pressure cells (STL)

Low pressure areas found at subpolar latitudes.

Oceanic Currents

Large scale flow of seawater driven by wind, temperature, and salinity differences.

Worldwide Equilibrium of Water

The balance of water among oceans, rivers, and the atmosphere.

Ocean and Freshwater Distribution

The way Earth's water is distributed between oceans and freshwater sources.

Phase Changes of Water

Transitions of water between vapor, liquid, and ice states.

Relative Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture that the air can hold at that temperature.

Cloud Types

Classification of clouds based on their appearance and altitude.

Air Mass

A large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Air Masses Affecting Weather

Specific air masses that influence weather patterns in the U.S.

Atmospheric Lifting Mechanisms

Processes that lift air to form clouds and precipitation.

Hydrologic Cycle Model

A representation of the continuous movement of water on Earth.

Interception

The capture of precipitation by vegetation before it reaches the ground.

Infiltration

The process by which water enters the soil.

Percolation

The movement of water through soil and rock layers.

U.S. Precipitation Maps

Visual representations of average precipitation patterns across the United States.

Potential Evapotranspiration

The amount of water that can be evaporated and transpired from a surface.

Soil Types

Various classifications of soil based on their properties and moisture availability.

Sample Water Budget

An estimation of the water input and output in a specific area.

Climate

Long-term average of weather conditions in a specific region.

Climatology

The study of climate and its effects.

Climatic Regions

Areas classified based on similar climate characteristics.

Climate Components

Elements such as temperature, precipitation, and wind that define a climate.

Cold and Hot Climate Relationships

Interactions between cold and hot climates influencing weather patterns.

Wet and Dry Climate Relationships

Interactions influencing precipitation and aridity.

Generalized Climate Regions

Broad classifications of climate based on temperature and precipitation; Categorization of regions based on specific climate types such as tropical, dry, mild midlatitude, severe midlatitude, and polar climates.

Climographs

Graphs that display climate data such as temperature and precipitation over time.

Global Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns due to natural and human activities.

Earth’s Structure

The physical composition and layer organization of the Earth.

Earth in Cross Section

A side view of Earth's layers from core to crust.

Continental Crust

The thick part of Earth's crust that forms the continents.

Oceanic Crust

The thinner part of Earth's crust that forms the ocean floors.

Geologic Cycle

The cycle of processes that describes the formation, breakdown, and reformation of Earth materials.

Exogenic Processes

Processes that occur on the Earth’s surface, such as erosion and sedimentation.

Endogenic Processes

Processes that occur within the Earth, such as volcanic and tectonic activity.

Subduction

The process by which one tectonic plate moves under another.

Plate Tectonics

The theory that explains the movement of Earth's plates and the associated geological activities.

Continental Drift

The hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined.

Crustal Orders of Relief

Different levels and forms of relief on the Earth's crust.

Earthquakes

Sudden ground shaking caused by the release of energy when tectonic plates shift.

Volcanism

The process of magma movement to the Earth's surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions.