Physical Geography Exam 1

Define physical geography and explain what is meant by spatial analysis.

Physical geography is the study of Earth’s physical environment and processes, including air, water, landforms, climate, and ecosystems. Spatial analysis examines the distribution, patterns, and relationships of these phenomena across space.

A negative feedback loop amplifies change within a system, pushing it further from equilibrium - true or false

False - a negative feedback loop does not amplify change in a system it in fact pushes a system closer to equilibrium

What does a contour line represent in a topographic map?

A contour line is a line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation.

Location

refers to the coordinates/address that describe where something is.

Place

refers to the physical and human characteristics that make a site unique.

Region

is defined as an area with unifying physical or cultural traits.

Movement

involves the flow of people, culture, ideas, or goods.

Human–Earth relationships

describe the interactions between people and their environment.

Which of the following best describes a map scale?

 The ratio between distances on a map and actual ground distances

Which of the following is the best example of an open system in nature?

A lake that exchanges water with rivers and the atmosphere

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

uses satellite signals to determine location.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

layers and analyzes spatial data using computers.

Remote Sensing

collects information about Earth’s surface from a distance.

Earth is closer to the Sun in January than in July - True/False

True - The earth is close to the sun in January compared to July

Which process transfers energy withour requiring a medium?

Radiation

Define solar declination and expalin it significance for the subpolar point.

Solar declination is the latitude where the Sun is directly overhea at noon. It determines the subsolar point and shifts between 23.5 N (June solstice) and 23.5 S (December solstice)

Rotation

Earths daily spin, defining the length of a day

Tilt of Earths axis

The 23.5 inclination that drives seasonality.

Revolution

Earths yearly orbit around the Sun.

Sphericity

The reason different latitiudes receive unequal solar energy.

What are two mechanism which solar energy directly or indirectly supports life on earth

-Driving photosynthesis (basis of food chains)

-Powering atmospheric circulation

-Heating Earths surface

Wavelength

Length between crests of a wave, related to type of energy/radiation

Amplitude

Height of the wave, related to intensity of energy.

During the December solstice, the subsolar point is located at:

Tropic of Capricorn

Beam spreading causes solar energy to be more concentrated at low Sun angles, increasing surface heating. - True/False

False - Beam spreading at low Sun angles spreads energy over a larger area, reducing heating.