Physical Geography Exam #1

Go study bitch

Geography

Not memorizing place names. It’s about where something is, why it’s there, and what is significant about it. Also concerned with how things differ through time and space.

Immanuel Kant

(1724-1804) placed geography within a contemporary philosophical framework and reasoned that all knowledge can be organized and viewed from 3 points of view.

One of Immanuel Kant’s three points of view

Studies grouped according to specified facts or objects e.g. botany, soils, sociology, psychology

One of Immanuel Kant’s three points of view

Studies of objects and facts through time (historical sciences).

One of Immanuel Kant’s three points of view

Studies of phenomena in space (geographical sciences - spatial context)

Systematic Approach

Looking at one or more aspects of the human-environmental system in context of spatial dimension. (ex. atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, human dimension)

Regional Approach

Analyze human-physical system in selected setting (e.g. geography of Europe)

Malthus

Focused on unchecked human population versus available resources. Created the J-curve which models exponential population growth.

Natural Resources

Any natural phenomena that is regarded as useful by humans. (ex. air, water, soil)

Renewable Resources

(AKA “flow resources”) capable of yielding output indefinitely if managed carefully (e.g. air, water, vegetation, soil)

Non-renewable Resources

(AKA “fund resources”) resources that cannot be used without depletion (ex. fossil fuels and metals)

Natural Hazards

Where the humans system is unable to absorb, use, buffer, or control aspects of the natural system. (ex. flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, volcanism, drought, etc.)

Arithmetic Density

Population to total area (e.g. population/square mile or population per square kilometer)

Physiological Density

Population to arable land (land capable of cultivation)

44%

Percent of the world population that lives within 150 km (93 miles) of the ocean.

8 billion

World population today.

10%

Percent of arable land on Earth.

China

Largest country in the world today (population)

24,901 miles

Earth’s circumference (in miles).

Eratosthenes

First to accurately postulate the Earth’s circumference.

Scale

The relation between length measured on a map image to the corresponding distance on the Earth’s surface.

larger, closer

The _____ the scale, the _____ the relation between map distance and ground distance.

smaller, larger

The _____ the denominator, the _____ the map scale.

Geoid

General shape of the Earth.

Latitude

0° to 90° North and South of the equator.

Parallels

Lines of equal latitude.

Longitude

0° to 180° East and West of the Prime Meridian.

Meridians

Lines of equal longitude.

Magnetic Declination

The difference between true north and magnetic north.

Cylindrical Map Projection

Map projection formed by placing a cylinder over a globe and transferring points, then unfolding (ex. Mercator projection -- distortions poleward)

Plane or Azimuthal Projection

Map projection formed by placing a flat surface next to a globe -- distortions form away from the point of contact.

Conical Map Projection

Map projection formed by placing a cone on a globe. It helps converge the lines of longitude but has the issue of globe coverage.

Remote Sensing

Detecting the nature of an object while at some distance. Requires some type of detector/sensor. (often uses electromagnetic energy)

Electromagnetic Energy

Radiant energy traveling at the speed of light in harmonic wave patterns.

Passive Systems

Sensors that acquire images without providing a source of energy. (most common = the camera)

Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic energy with the shortest wavelength (and therefore the most energy).

Radio Waves

Electromagnetic energy with the longest wavelength (and therefore the least energy).

Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Near Infrared, Visible light, Ultra-violet, X-rays, and Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength (increasing energy).

Active Systems

Sensors that use a beam of wave energy as a source and send the beam toward an object. Part of the energy is reflected back to the source and is recorded by a detector. (ex. radar, lidar)

Sun-Synchronous satellites

In sync with the sun -- orbits near polar and completes one circle of the Earth every 90 to 100 minutes. Designed to pass a set point at approximately the same time.

Geo-Synchronous satellites

Satellites that move at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation. Fixed on one part of the globe and see one part of the globe constantly (used as weather satellites, tv satellites, communication satellites).

Radar

Uses short pulses of microwave radiation directed towards an object and detects the return echo of the microwave response. The strength of each return pulse and time received allows an image to be created of the object.

Frequency

Measures of waves in circles per second or Hertz (Hz).

Landsat

One of primary Earth sensing satellites (sun-synchronous orbit).

Counterclockwise

Direction of the Earth’s rotation (reference: looking down on the North Pole).

Diverts them to the right

Coriolis effect on winds and ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere.

Diverts them to the left.

Coriolis effect on winds and ocean currents in the Southern Hemisphere.

Aphelion

When Earth is at its greatest distance from the sun.

Perihelion

When Earth is at its closest distance to the sun.

Tropic of Cancer

When the sun is at this position (23.5°N latitude) the Earth experiences the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (Summer Solstice). (Same time, winter solstice in Southern Hemisphere).

Tropic of Capricorn

When the sun is at this position (23.5°S latitude) the Earth experiences the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (Winter Solstice). (Same time, summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere).

Subsolar Point

The point at which the sun is directly overhead.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions at any given time and place.

Climate

Weather conditions over time for a particular area or region of the Earth.

Solid, Liquid, Gas, and Plasma

The states of matter are…

Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide

Prominent gases in the atmosphere.

Nitrogen

Most prominent gas in the atmosphere (78%).

Albedo

The reflectivity of anything.

32%

The albedo of Earth is…

Barometer

Instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

About 0.2% to about 4%

Water vapor variation in the atmosphere.

Troposphere

The layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface. (main focus of geographers -- up to 9 miles thick)

Stratosphere

Second closest atmospheric layer to the Earth’s surface. (extends to about 31 miles above the surface)

Mesosphere

Layer of atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere. (third closest to the Earth’s surface -- up to 53 miles above)

Thermosphere

Atmospheric layer located between the mesosphere and the ionosphere (fourth closest layer to the surface -- between 53 and 372 miles above the ground)

Ionosphere

Atmospheric layer located between the thermosphere and the magnetosphere (fifth closest layer to the surface -- between 50 and 600 miles above the ground)

Magnetosphere

Atmospheric layer furthest from the surface and the outer edge of the Earth’s magnetic field (Van Allen Radiation Belt).

Solar Constant

The amount of incoming radiation from the sun (approx. 2 calories/centimeter squared/minute)

Isotherms

Lines of equal temperature.

Conduction

The process by which heat is directly transmitted to a substance when there is a difference in temperature between adjoining substances.

Convection

The transfer of heat by circulation or movement of the heated parts of liquid and gas -- where hotter, less dense material will rise; colder, dense material will sink.

Thermometer

Instrument that measures temperature.

Anemometer

Instrument that measures wind direction and speeds.

Psychrometer

Instrument that measures relative and specific humidity.

Pyranometer

Instrument that measures solar radiation.

Evaporation Pan

Instrument that measures evaporation rates.

Fahrenheit scale

Water boils at 212° and water freezes at 32°.

Celsius scale

Water boils at 100° and water freezes at 0°.

mid-afternoon

The maximum temperature generally occurs around…

just before sunrise

The coolest temperature (in general) recorded in a 24 hour period occurs…

Isobars

Lines of equal atmospheric pressure.

more, stronger

The _____ pressure variation, the _____ the wind.

high, low

Air moves from _____, to _____ pressure.

source

Winds are named after the…

Local winds

Winds driven by local effects (ex. sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes)

Santa Ana Winds

Strong, extremely dry downslope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California.

Nor’easters (Northeasterlies)

Storms along the east coast of North America where the winds are strong from the northeast. (may occur at anytime, but most often from September to April)

Chinook Wind

Warming dry wind off the leeward side of a mountain range that can cause a rapid rise in temperature.

Cyclone

A low pressure cell → air converges and rises from the center.

Anticyclone

A high pressure cell → air descends to the center and diverges.

clockwise outspiral

In the Northern Hemisphere, anticyclones form winds moving in a…

counterclockwise inspiral

In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones form winds moving in a…

counterclockwise outspiral

In the Southern Hemisphere, anticyclones form winds moving in a…

clockwise inspiral

In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclones form winds moving in a…

Air mass

A body of air in which upward gradients of temperature and moisture are relatively uniform for large areas.

A front

Surface of contact between two unlike air masses.

The Jet Stream

The core of the upper air westerlies.

Rossby Wave

Undulations in the jet stream.

Winter Monsoon

Dry weather caused by high pressure cells and seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation. (very dry)

Summer Monsoon

Wet weather caused by low pressure cells and seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation. (lots of moisture)