GEOG 103 EXAM 1

Geography (def and characteristics of field)

The spacial analysis of all phys elements and processes that make up the env

5 Themes of geography

Location, Place, Movement, Region, Human-Earth Relationships

Systems theory

ordered, interrelated set of things and their attributes

Systems

open/closed- closed does not exist

feedback- positive and negative

equilibrium: steady-state, dynamic, metastable

Steady-state

in/out puts stable as is mass and energy

dynamic

fluctuations around an equilibrium w a trend

Metastable

new equilibrium reached after passing a threshold(abrupt change)

Geoid

the general shape based on gravity of Earth

Great Circle

a plane that intersects the globe dividing the globe into equal halves and it passes through the center

ex. equator

Latitude(parallels)

• N-S

• 90-0 degrees

• Equatorial plane on 0 degrees

• Variations in latitude correspond to variations in energy

Longitude(meridians)

Prime

Prime Meridian

• where we measure 1st longitude off of

• east - west

• 0 to 180 degrees

• difficult to measure

International Date Line

• Corresponds to Prime Meridian

• goes from north pole to south pole and thru middle of pacific ocean

Map Scale

Map: generalized view of an area

Scale: a ratio of map units to ground units like 1:24000

Projection: process of transforming spherical earth to flat map

Remote sensing(passive and active)

Collection of info abt an object from a distance through registering EM energy

Active remote sensing

transmits energy to allow an image to be formed like microwave

Passive remote sensing

collects energy reflected or emitted from a surface like infared energy or sun

• usually naturally emitted like suface comp, phys temp, and other physical characteristics of earth

Chap 2

Plane of Earth’s orbit is

the plane of the ecliptic

Planetesimal hypothesis

Suns condense from nebular clouds

Perihelion

Earth’s Orbit where earth is closest from Sun at Jan 3

Aphelion

Earth’s orbit where earth is farthest from sun at July 4

Solar winds/sun spots

Solar wind: clouds of electrically charged particles

Sunspots: caused by magnetic storms

Electromagnetic spectrum

Reasons for the seasons

Revolution, Rotation, Tilt, Axial parallelism, Sphericity

Solar declination

Latitude where the Sun is directly overhead(subsolar point) at noon

Varies btwn 23.5 degrees north and 23.5 degrees south

only Us state is hawaii

(SAA) Solar Altitude Angle

Chap 3

Atmospheric Layers by:

Ozone hole in text

Antarctic Ozone Hole- CFCs were used in early heat pumps, fridges, as propellants → then exposure to UV radiation released free chlorine to interact w other gases → then the stratospheric clouds allowed condesnsing of Chlorine gas and UV exposure → since then hole has been stabilized

Variable atmospheric components

Temperature inversion

5 principal pollutants & emission trends

Smog and industrial pollution

Chap 4

Insolation

Latitude, Shortwave(sun), Pathways(transmission, scattering, refraction)

Albedo

the reflective quality of a surface

• high albedo= highly reflective (light, smooth)

• low albedo= less reflective (dark, rough)

• clouds make up 21% of earths overall albedo

How are forests albedo 10%-20% but forests aren’t hot?

bc the forest uses sun in different ways: like photosynthesis where the plants are living and consuming that solar energy

Clouds(dual role)

Cloud- albedo forcing

and

cloud greenhouse forming

What is cloud- albedo forcing?

Usually the lower stratus clouds reflect shortwave energy from the sun

→ results in atmospheric cooling

What is cloud- greenhouse forcing?

Usually the higher cirrus clouds which act as insulation and trap in the longwave radiation

→ results in atmospheric warming

Heat transfer

absorption, conduction, convection, advection, radiation

Greenhouse effect

The atmosphere absorbs heat energy. A real greenhouse traps heat inside by restricting air movement w heating.

The atmosphere delays transfer of heat from Earth into space

Radiation balance, Net R

• The warmest time of the day is NOT at peak insulation

• NET R= net radiation energy

Urban heat island

Heat

A form of energy that FLOWS btwn 2 systems/objects

Temperature

A measure of the air kinetic energy(motion) of the individual molecules of matter

Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin

Fahrenheit- experimental water based

Celsius- intuitive and water based

Kelvin- based on the concept of absolute 0

Principal Temp controls

Latitude, Altitude, Cloud cover, land/water heating differences

Maritime vs continentality

Gulf Stream

Chap 5

Air pressure

Hurricane Katrina info

Barometer

Anemometer

Coriolis effect

global pressure belts(names & locations)

wind belts(names and locations)

polar front

rossby waves

protrusions of the polar front into warmer air, leading to the formation of lows and highs

jet stream

an irregular, concentrated band of wind occuring at several diff locations that supports surface weather conditions

gyres

Circular flows of water in the ocean basins, tied to higher pressure systems

ITCZ

Intertropical Convergence Zone