Geology Exam 1 KSU

Chose all of the characteristics that make the State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) unique.

-SPCS is used in the United States only.

-The frame of reference is unique to each state.

-SPCS "flattens" the land into a plane.

A map ____ is the representation of location, shape, or area of a sphere onto a two-dimensional map. It is the result of quantitative analysis that reduces distortion for the space shown.

Projection

Which of the following are true for cylindrical projections?

-Cylindrical projections are rectangular map projections.

-Parallels are all the same length.

-Cylindrical projections are created by "unrolling" a sphere around a standard line.

A(n) ____ projection is a map where areas of lesser importance are removed, parallels are horizontal, meridians are elongated, and areas are preserved.

sinusoidal

In the latitude-longitude coordinate system, ___ are imaginary lines that run north-south and are measured in degrees east-west. (Use just one word for your answer.)

meridians

Summarize the State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) by identifying key elements of how it works.

-SPCS is used only in the United States.

-SPCS ignores curvature of the Earth.

-SPCS uses X and Y coordinates.

List the advantages of using cylindrical projections.

-The map is ideal for navigation.

-Meridians are shown parallel to each other.

-With adjustments, the map is conformal.

Order the steps of the objective method for studying physical geography problems with the first step at the top and the last on the bottom.

1. Observation

2.Analysis

3. Interpretation

Describe the advantages of conical projections by selecting all the items below that apply.

-Areas along a standard line have no distortion, but the projection is neither conformal nor equal-area.

-The standard line is usually a parallel of latitude.

List the advantages of sinusoidal projections.

-Areas are preserved.

-Meridians can be shown as perpendicular to the equator for accurate area projections.

-Parallels maintain their correct length.

Select all the descriptions that apply to lines of longitude.

-Eastern longitudes have positive degrees.

-Lines of longitude run north-south on the globe.

What type of projection is neither equal-area nor conformal, shows only one hemisphere accurately at a time, and can have two standard lines?

Conical projection

The strength of planar projections ______.

results from the straight lines connecting the shortest distance between two points

Order the following steps of the scientific method from top to bottom by completing the phrases.

Instructions

Observe-- problem

Ask-- question

propose-- a hypothesis

develop--predictions

compile-- data

evaluate--results

Which of the items below describe Earth's hydrosphere?

-It includes soil moisture, groundwater, lakes, clouds, and air moisture.

-It overlaps with every sphere of Earth.

Earth's systems respond to changes that have an effect on the change that is occurring. We call these responses feedbacks. Select all the correct descriptions of how feedbacks works.

-A feedback can counteract, or lessen, a change that is occurring.

-A feedback can amplify, or make worse, a change that is occurring.

An observation may lead to a question when studying natural phenomena. The first step to answering that question would be forming a(n) ______.

hypothesis

Which statement is true for matter and/or energy according to the First Law of Thermodynamics?

They can transfer from one form to another.

Choose all of the components of the hydrosphere.

Lakes

Groundwater

Rivers

Glaciers

Oceans

Clouds

A dynamic system responds to a change in ways that ______ the effect of the change.

either reinforce or counteract

The hydrologic cycle is best described as ______.

the circulation of water around the globe

GIS uses point-pattern analysis to determine spatial ___ of data points and if the data points are clustered, random, or regularly spaced.

distribution

A dynamic system is constantly changing the position, amounts, or forms of ______.

energy and matter

Match the spatial distribution type to the appropriate description.

Instructions

-Clustered: Data points are closer together; placement may indicate proximity to another favorable feature.

-Random: Data points are spread unevenly with no logical reasoning for placement.

- Regular: Data points are spread evenly apart; placement may indicate availability of resources in the immediate area.

A change to a system that dampens an ongoing change is called a(n) ___ feedback.

negative

A ______ system is one in which mass and energy are constantly transferred in form, quantity, and location.

dynamic

The energy and matter in the atmosphere are ______.

redistributed by atmospheric processes

Match the process of the hydrologic cycle with the appropriate description.

Instructions

-Precipitation: Atmospheric water vapor forms drops and falls to the ground.

-Streams: Moving water flows downhill and sculpts the landscape in its path.

-Evaporation: Energy transformations cause water to collect in the atmosphere from all of Earth's surfaces.

-Groundwater flow: Water seeps into the ground and flows through rock and soil.

-Ocean waves: This is motion caused by the transfer of momentum between wind and a body of water.

The biosphere interacts with the ___ when plants help to break down earth materials and with the ___ when plants emit oxygen gas.

-lithosphere

-atmosphere

Human activities that change the landscape often result in unintended consequences. Dam building is a good example, as it may provide hydroelectric power but also disturbs ______ and the local ______.

ecosystems; water balance

A change to a system that ______ an ongoing transition is called a negative feedback. An example would be a warming Earth that encourages plant growth, which removes more CO2 from the atmosphere and results in cooling.

opposes

Match the terms elevation, depth, and relief with descriptions of what they represent.

Instructions

-Elevation: Vertical distance measured from sea level to feature height

-Depth: Vertical distance measured from sea level to feature height below water surface

-Relief:Vertical distance of one feature compared to another nearby

In the hydrologic cycle process, rainfall is a type of ___ whereas liquid water is changed to water vapor by___ and then condensation, which forms clouds

precipitation,

evaporation

Match the spheres listed below with an example of how they overlap the biosphere.

Instructions

-Atmosphere: Plants extract C02 and emit oxygen.

-Hydrosphere: Plants use groundwater.

-Lithosphere:Rocks are weathered by plant activity.

Human influences on the landscape may ______.

change climates, landscapes, and appearances

What term would best be used to describe topographic features in the whole Atlantic Ocean?

Depth

Great circles are ideal for making ______ travel more efficient by shortening the distance traveled around a sphere between two points, especially worldwide travel.

airline

Which of the following apply to latitudes?

-Lines of latitude are parallels, running east-west across the globe.

-The equator is measured as 0° latitude.

In the PLSS coordinate system, offsets of the Principal Meridian are called___, offsets of the Base Line are called___, and subsections of these are divided into a grid of thirty-six

-ranges

-townships

-sections

Describe the different types of remote sensing by matching the name to the descriptor.

Instructions

-Microwave: Images from satellites are created with data gathered from waves that penetrate clouds; can be used to measure surface-water elevations.

-Multispectral:Sensors collect data from multiple wavelengths of energy; an example is forest fire tracking.

-Radar, sonar, and lidar: The emittance, recorded reflection, and return time of energy waves from a sensor to landscape below are used to assess topography in inaccessible areas.

The intersection of a plane with a sphere creates a(n)___ circle when the plane passes through the sphere's center. The equator is an example of one on Earth.

great

The degrees of latitude are defined as the ______, where parallels are assigned every 10°.

degrees above or below the equator

The PLSS coordinate system is based around an origin with a___Meridian running north-south and a___Line running east-west.

Principal

Base

Describe the different types of remote sensing by matching the name to the descriptor.

Instructions

-Visible and near infrared (IR): Records multiple spectra of light

-Thermal infrared (IR):Captures variances in heat emitted by objects

Geographic information, such as aerial photographs, field observation, and data points are typically combined in computerized databases, called ___ ___ ___

geographic

information

systems

Once maps and data sets are assigned universal coordinates, they can be layered to generate a composite view of a site, data points, and zones. This layering is called ______.

a map overlay

The greatest strength of using GIS is data ______.

manipulation and examination

The concept and use of longitude to determine time across the globe is important because ______.

we operate as an international society, and need established time zones

______ are used to calculate wind speed (miles per hour), annual deforestation (area per year), and air pollution changes of the 21st century (particulates per century).

Rates

During a site study, map overlays allow a user to ______.

examine multiple types of data for an area

The longitude-based system for standardized time is used to determine ______.

the hours, minutes, and seconds of each day

Rate is calculated to determine how quickly something is changing and is expressed as ______.

distance/time

Match the steps of how to construct a concept sketch with the correct descriptions.

-Make a list of what to discuss.:What observations, interpretations, and other aspects should be included

-Decide what to sketch.:How general or detailed the sketch should be to explain your key ideas

-Annotate your sketch.: Label important features and write sentences describing the relationships between features and processes

What are the characteristics of parallels?

-They are of equal distance from each other.

-The shortest parallels are near the poles.

As the four different layers of the atmosphere interact with the insolation passing through them, their temperature changes with altitude. Select the layers of the atmosphere that decline in temperature with increasing altitude.

-Troposphere

-Mesosphere

How does the global distribution of ozone change throughout the year?

The distribution of ozone varies during the year as the patterns of insolation change.

Select an example of how electromagnetic energy is generated.

By changes associated with charged particles

How does a standard mercury thermometer measure temperature in the atmosphere?

Sensible heat is transferred from the air to the mercury in a glass tube, which causes it to expand or contract as the atmosphere warms and cools.

What effect does the lack of mixing on land, compared to the mixing occurring in the ocean, have on surface temperatures? A lack of mixing ___.

results in more rapid surface temperature changes

Which two layers of Earth's atmosphere most strongly absorb solar insolation?

-Thermosphere

-Stratosphere

Which of the following is an accurate summary of the global distribution of ozone?

Concentrations are highest in the middle and high latitudes and lower near the equator.

In addition to the changes associated with charged particles, how can electromagnetic energy be generated?

-By changes in the energy level of electrons

-By the fusion of particles

Identify the methods below that are used to measure temperature.

-The expansion and contraction of mercury in a glass tube

-Measuring the wavelengths of electromagnetic energy given off by an object

-Calculating the temperature based on thermoelectric responses

Select the correct summary below about how the thermal differences between land and water influence temperature differences between them.

The high specific heat moderates the temperature of water, which often results in water being colder than land during the day and warmer at night.

Select one statement below that accurately describes how hurricanes and latent heat are related.

Incredible amounts of latent heat are released in hurricanes as water condensation occurs in the atmosphere.

How does the exchange of latent heat associated with phase changes of water affect atmospheric temperature?

It can cause the surrounding air to heat or cool, depending on the direction of the phase change.

Select the areas listed below for which we generally lack a good decades-long record of temperature.

-The Pacific Ocean

-The Atlantic Ocean

-The center of South America

Shortwave radiation that reaches the Earth's surface can be converted to ______.

-latent heat

-sensible heat

-longwave radiation

Variations in cloud cover, amount of daylight, Sun angles, and other factors contribute to variations in the amount of ______.

insolation received at Earth's surface

We measure an object's internal kinetic energy by ______, whereas the thermal energy transferred from one object to another is ______.

temperature; heat

Why are atmospheric temperatures affected by the phase changes of water?

Heat is being taken in and stored as latent heat, or latent heat is being released into the environment.

Select the correct overall summary of the global shortwave-radiation budget.

Earth's total albedo is about 31%; the remaining 69% of incoming insolation is absorbed in the atmosphere (20%) or by the ground (49%).

Select the statement below that accurately describes the global coverage of stations recording temperature spanning back many decades.

The distribution is uneven, with most of the coverage being on land in low-lying populated areas.

In general, what happens to shortwave radiation that reaches Earth's surface that isn't reflected?

It is converted into other forms of energy.

Why does the amount of insolation reaching Earth's surface vary on a global scale?

-The amount of daylight varies across Earth.

-The amount and type of cloud cover varies spatially.

-Sun angles vary with latitude.

What is the difference between heat and temperature?

Temperature is a measure of an object's internal kinetic energy and heat is the energy transferred from one object to another.

Of the total amount of insolation that reaches the top of the atmosphere, 3% is absorbed by clouds, and 4% is reflected back up to space from the ground. Match what happens to the remaining portion (93%) of insolation to its fate.

Instructions

-7%: Scattered in the atmosphere

-17%: Absorbed by dust and molecules in the atmosphere

-20%:Reflected by clouds

-49%:Absorbed by the ground

Match the type of interaction between matter and radiant energy in the atmosphere to its description.

Instructions

-Transmission: Energy is able to pass though the matter.

-Reflection:Energy bounces off the surface of an object.

-Absorption:An object retains some of the energy that strikes it.

-Scattering:Energy is dispersed in various directions.

Identify the two ways scientists use the term heat.

-To refer to the transfer of thermal energy

-To refer to the energy that is transferred

___ radiation is the fundamental force of nature that transmits energy to us from the Sun and is fundamental in determining our weather and climate.

Electromagnetic

Which of the following are examples of electromagnetic radiation?

-X-rays

-Visible light

-Radio waves

Select all that statements below that accurately characterize one of the four ways radiant energy can interact with matter.

-Energy can bounce off an object in a process called reflection.

-Instead of just bouncing energy off its surface, an object can disperse the energy in various directions in a process called scattering.

The incoming energy transmitted from the Sun to Earth is called ______.

insolation

What is photodissociation?

The breakdown of a chemical compound caused by electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength equal to or less than visible light

Select the ways in which the amount of insolation reaching Earth's surface varies spatially.

-The highest values of received insolation are in subtropical deserts due, in part, to low cloud cover.

-In general, lower amounts of insolation are received at higher latitudes.

Scientists use the term "____" " to refer to both the transfer of thermal energy and to the energy that is transferred.

heat

How do the different layers of the atmosphere vary?

-In temperature

-In air pressure

-In amounts and composition of their gases

Match the description of the energy level with the state of matter, assuming that the material is the same.

Instructions

-Gas: The most energetic state

-Liquid: The intermediate energy state

-Solid: The least energetic state

The solar constant is the ______.

relatively consistent amount of solar energy received by Earth

How does the amount of insolation striking the surface of Earth vary between 30° and 60ο latitude?

Insolation striking Earth's surface decreases greatly with increasing latitude.

Select that statements below that correctly characterize the overall structure of Earth's atmosphere.

-It has definable layers that vary in temperature, air pressure, and other factors.

-Some characteristics of the atmosphere go out to thousands of kilometers above Earth's surface.

Select all the statements below that accurately compare the relative energy content of the states of matter. (Assume that in each statement, the substance is the same material, just in a different state.)

-A liquid has a higher relative energy content than a solid.

-A gas has a higher relative energy content than a solid.

-A liquid has a lower relative energy content than a gas.

The consistent amount of energy Earth receives from the Sun is called the ___ ___. . It is measured in watts per square meter.

solar, constant

Select the ways in which the amount of insolation reaching Earth's surface varies spatially.

-The highest values of received insolation are in subtropical deserts due, in part, to low cloud cover.

-In general, lower amounts of insolation are received at higher latitudes.

What is the orbital plane of Earth?

The plane in which Earth orbits the Sun

How can the periods of darkness or daylight near the poles extend for months? The closer a location is to one of the poles, the longer it will be pointed at or away from the Sun and thus experience long periods of daylight or darkness until ______.

Earth's revolution of the Sun changes the direction Earth is tilted relative to the Sun

How do the different layers of the atmosphere vary?

-In temperature

-In amounts and composition of their gases

-In air pressure

Which of the following interactions between electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and atmospheric components results in the component struck by the EMR gaining kinetic energy?

Absorption

The atmospheric gas___ absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere, shielding life from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

ozone

What is ozone?

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms in the form 03