Introduction to Physical Geography - The Earth as an Orbiting Sphere

Flashcards covering key concepts from the 'Introduction to Physical Geography' lecture on the Earth as an Orbiting Sphere.

The Earth’s shape is close to spherical and is actually an ___ ellipsoid.

Oblate

Earth is flattened at the __ and bulging around the equator.

Poles

The equatorial diameter of Earth is __ km.

12,756

Earth experiences daily air temperature cycles due to its __.

Rotation

Earth rotates __ when viewed from above the North Pole.

Counterclockwise

Tides are influenced by Earth’s rotation and the gravitational pull of the __.

Moon

The Earth intercepts __ of the Sun’s energy, yet this energy provides most of the heat needed for life.

0.00000000005% (5×10−11)

Solar radiation received as parallel rays of energy causes varying __ of insolation across the Earth.

Angles

Direct solar rays are most intense in the __ latitudes.

Tropical

The tilt of the Earth's axis is __ degrees from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.

23.5º

Earth's revolution around the Sun takes approximately __ days.

365.25

Earth is closest to the Sun at and farthest at .

Perihelion, Aphelion

The four seasons occur because Earth maintains a constant orientation tilted at __ degrees.

23.5º

During the summer solstice, the subsolar point is at __ degrees South.

23.5º

Equinox conditions occur when the circle of illumination passes through both __.

Poles

At the equinox, all locations on Earth experience __ hours of sunlight and darkness.

12

The phases of the Moon are determined by its __ around Earth.

Position

The __ Moon occurs approximately one week after the New Moon.

First Quarter

A Full Moon occurs when light from the Sun hits the side of the Moon facing __.

Earth

The Last Quarter Moon shows illumination on the __ side of the Moon.

Opposite

The tilt of the Earth’s axis influences the __ experienced in different regions.

Seasons

During the equinoxes, Earth's axis is __.

Not tilted

The distance from Earth to the Sun varies only by __ during one revolution.

3%

The __ of illumination marks changing conditions during solstices.

Circle

The Earth’s rotational period is slightly less than __ hours when measured using stars.

24

The __ occurs on March 21st, marking the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

March Equinox

Solar intensity changes are most extreme at __ latitudes.

High

The Four Seasons result from Earth’s __ as it revolves around the Sun.

Tilt

The Moon's phases cycle every __ days.

29.5

When the Sun is directly above the Equator, it is called an __.

Equinox

The __ Circle is located at 66.5°N latitude.

Arctic

Changes in temperature throughout the year are influenced by variations in __ received from the Sun.

Energy