Plant Earth Notes for Exam

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98 Terms

1

Geography

The science that studies the Earth and its features, including the spatial analysis of physical space and the distribution of things within it.

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2

Spatial analysis

The method used by geographers to describe the Earth, focusing on the characteristics of physical space, its measurement, and the distribution of things within it.

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3

Location

The absolute or relative position of a place on Earth, answering the question "where?"

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4

Region

An area with uniform characteristics that may change over time and have relationships with other regions.

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5

Movement

The communication, circulation, migration, and diffusion of people, goods, and ideas across Earth's surface.

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6

Place

The unique combination of tangible and intangible characteristics that make a specific location distinct.

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7

Human-Earth Relationships

The interactions between humans and the Earth, including resource exploitation, hazard perception, and environmental pollution and modification.

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8

Systems Theory

An ordered set of interrelated components and their attributes, which can be made up of subsystems.

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9

Open systems

Systems that have inputs and outputs of energy and matter, exchanging with their surroundings.

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10

Closed systems

Systems that have no external influences and are shut off from their surroundings.

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11

Negative feedbacks

Outputs that influence the system to discourage or counteract further outputs.

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12

Positive feedbacks

Outputs that cause a domino effect or chain reaction, encouraging further outputs.

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13

Steady-state equilibrium

A system fluctuating around a stable average and maintaining the same operational level.

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14

Dynamic equilibrium

A system fluctuating around a stable average but exhibiting an overall trend and potential abrupt changes.

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15

Latitude

The angular distance north or south of the equator, measured from the center of the Earth.

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16

Longitude

The angular distance east or west of a point on the Earth's surface, measured from the center of the Earth.

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17

Tropics

The geographic zones between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S), where the sun can be directly overhead.

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18

Prime Meridian

The line of longitude designated as 0°, passing through Greenwich, England, and serving as the standard for time.

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19

Time Zones

Divisions of the Earth's surface based on the rotation of the Earth, with each zone approximately 15° wide and representing a one-hour difference in time.

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20

Map

A generalized view of an area seen from above and reduced in size.

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21

Scale

The ratio of map units to ground units, indicating how much a map is shrunk or reduced.

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22

Projection

The process of transforming the spherical Earth onto a flat map, causing distortions in size, shape, or distance.

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23

Correct projection

The idea that there is no one correct way to project the Earth's surface onto a map, as it depends on the intended use.

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24

Cylindrical Projections

A type of projection that represents the Earth's surface as if it were wrapped around a cylinder, with distortion increasing the farther away from the equator.

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25

Planar Projections

A type of projection that represents the Earth's surface as if it were projected onto a flat plane, often used for polar projections.

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26

Conic Projections

A type of projection that represents the Earth's surface as if it were projected onto a cone, minimizing error of shape and size.

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27

Remote Sensing

A method of gathering information about the Earth's surface without direct physical contact, using instruments on aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, etc.

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28

Geostationary Orbit

An orbit where a satellite remains "parked" over the same location on Earth's equator, allowing it to see a large portion of the world.

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29

Polar Orbit

An orbit where a satellite rotates from pole to pole around the Earth, allowing it to see different parts of the Earth with each rotation.

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30

Sun-synchronous Orbit

An orbit where a satellite shifts its track slightly every day so that it is always in daylight, similar to polar orbits.

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31

Active Remote Sensing

A type of remote sensing where the instrument provides its own energy and sends a beam of energy to the surface, analyzing the energy that is sent back.

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32

Passive Remote Sensing

A type of remote sensing that records the natural radiation emitted or reflected from a surface, without actively sending energy.

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33

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A tool used to combine and analyze spatial and attribute data, allowing for the creation of composite maps with multiple data layers.

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34

Plane of the Ecliptic

The plane that the Earth takes as it orbits around the Sun, which is important for measuring the tilt of the Earth.

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35

Aphelion

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

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36

Sunspots

Dark spots on the surface of the Sun caused by magnetic storms, which follow an activity cycle of approximately 11 years.

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37

Solar Wind

Streams of electrically charged particles emitted by the Sun, which are deflected towards the poles by the Earth's magnetosphere.

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38

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, from short (harmful) to long (safer).

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39

Longwave Radiation

Radiation emitted by objects with a temperature greater than absolute zero, such as the Earth.

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40

Shortwave Radiation

Radiation emitted by objects with a high temperature, such as the Sun.

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41

Solar radiation

Energy from the sun that reaches the Earth.

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42

Infrared

Electromagnetic waves with longer wavelengths than visible light, which are emitted by the Earth as heat energy.

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43

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation.

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44

Earth's curvature

The round shape of the Earth, which causes uneven distribution of insolation.

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45

Perpendicular rays

Sun rays that hit a location at a 90-degree angle, resulting in more intense insolation.

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46

Variability in insolation

Changes in the intensity of insolation due to the sun's position, including altitude and declination.

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47

Tropic of Cancer

The latitude line at 23.5 degrees North, where the sun is directly overhead during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

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48

Tropic of Capricorn

The latitude line at 23.5 degrees South, where the sun is directly overhead during the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

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49

Daylength

The duration of daylight in a 24-hour period, which affects the amount of insolation received.

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50

Equator

The latitude line at 0 degrees, where the sun is directly overhead during the equinoxes.

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51

Revolution

The Earth's orbit around the sun, which takes approximately 365.25 days.

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52

Rotation

The spinning of the Earth on its own axis, causing the daily cycle of daylight and darkness.

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53

Tilt of Earth's axis

The 23.5-degree angle at which the Earth's axis is tilted relative to the plane of its orbit.

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54

Axial parallelism

The phenomenon where the Earth's axis maintains its alignment during its entire orbit around the sun.

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55

Sphericity

The surface area covered by a given amount of insolation.

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56

Summer solstice

The day with the longest daylight and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring around June 21st.

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57

Fall equinox

The day when neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, resulting in equal day and night lengths, occurring around September 22nd.

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58

Winter solstice

The day with the shortest daylight and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring around December 21st.

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59

Spring equinox

The day when neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, resulting in equal day and night lengths, occurring around March 21st.

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60

Atmosphere

The thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth that is essential for life and helps maintain temperature.

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61

Atmospheric pressure

The force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on a given area.

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62

Nitrogen

The most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 78% of its composition.

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63

Oxygen

The second most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 21% of its composition.

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64

Carbon Dioxide

A trace gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 0.031% of its composition.

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65

Aragon

A trace gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 0.9% of its composition.

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66

Atmospheric profile

The vertical distribution of temperature, composition, and function of the Earth's atmosphere.

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67

Thermosphere

The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, extending from 80 km outward, with high temperatures but little heat.

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68

Mesosphere

The layer of the atmosphere located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, with decreasing temperatures upward.

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69

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere located between the troposphere and the mesosphere, with increasing temperatures upward.

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70

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the surface to approximately 18 km, where weather occurs and temperature decreases with altitude.

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71

Tropopause

The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.

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72

Ionosphere

The region of the atmosphere spanning across the mesosphere and thermosphere, where incoming particles are converted from atoms to ions and auroras occur.

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73

Ozonosphere

The part of the stratosphere containing ozone (O3), which absorbs most of the harmful UV radiation from the sun.

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74

Ozone hole

A thinning of the ozone layer, particularly over Antarctica, caused by synthetic compounds from human activities.

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75

Variable atmospheric components

Gases, particles, and chemicals present in the atmosphere that vary in concentration and origin.

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76

Naturally emitted

Substances or particles that are released into the atmosphere through natural processes, such as volcanoes, forest fires, plants, decaying plants, soil, and the ocean.

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77

Anthropogenic Pollution

Pollution caused by human activities, including the release of small particles of dust, soot, and pollution from urban/industrial sources and agricultural fires/burning.

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78

Valleys

Low-lying areas between mountains or hills that can trap pollutants due to temperature inversions.

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79

Temperature Inversion

A layer in the atmosphere where the temperature suddenly increases instead of decreasing, which can trap pollutants in valleys.

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80

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation received at Earth's surface.

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81

Scattering

The process by which light is redirected in all directions without changing its wavelength, resulting in diffusing radiation.

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82

Refraction

The change in direction and speed of radiation when it passes from one medium to another, such as from outer space to the Earth's atmosphere.

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83

Reflection

The bouncing back of energy without any change, resulting in the reflective property or brightness of a surface, measured by albedo.

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84

Absorption

The assimilation of radiation by an object, converting it from one form of energy to another.

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85

Conduction

The transfer of heat or energy between molecules through direct contact.

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86

Convection/Advection

The vertical or horizontal transfer of heat or energy through the movement of fluids or gases.

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87

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and trap outgoing longwave radiation, delaying energy loss from the Earth.

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88

Net Radiation

The difference between incoming and outgoing radiation at the Earth's surface, including shortwave and longwave radiation.

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89

Latent Heating

The hidden heat released or absorbed during the evaporation or condensation of water.

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90

Sensible Heating

The heat that can be sensed or felt, transferred through convection and conduction.

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91

Ground Heating/Cooling

The energy flow in or out of the ground through conduction, which is balanced on an annual basis.

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92

Temperature Scales

Different scales used to measure temperature, including Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin.

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