GEO110 Lecture 2

Course Information

• Title: GEO110 The Physical Environment

• Instructor: Dr. Mohammad Manshouri, manshouri@torontomu.ca

• Copyright Notice: Content copyrighted by Dr. Mohammad Manshouri; limited use permitted for registered students only.

Content of GeographyMajor Themes:

1. Physical Geography: Natural processes and earth features.

2. Human Geography: Interactions between people and environment.

3. Environmental Geography: Relationships between human and natural systems.

Subfields:

• Physical Geography: Geomorphology, Hydrology, Natural Hazards, Climatology, Oceanography, Glaciology, Soils

• Human Geography: Population, Economic, Cultural, Urban, Political, Environmental, Medical, Historical, Behavioural Geography, Geographic Information Systems

• Synthesis Fields: Landscape Ecology, Remote Sensing, Earth Systems Concepts

Definition of a System:An interrelated set of components linked by flows of energy and matter.

Earth's Four Spheres:

1. Atmosphere: Gaseous layer around Earth.

2. Hydrosphere: All water bodies.

3. Lithosphere: Earth's solid outer layer.

4. Biosphere: Zone of life.

Interactions in Earth Systems:Energy and matter flow affects climate and ecological interactions.

Key Parts of Study:

• Energy-Atmosphere System: Solar energy drives Earth's systems.

• Water, Weather, and Climate Systems: Hydrologic cycle and climate change.

• Soils, Ecosystems, and Biomes: Role of soil in life sustainability.

Conservation Laws:

• Mass: Transformed, not created or destroyed.

• Energy: Ability to perform work, conserved.

System Types:

• Open Systems: Exchange with environment (e.g., automobile).

• Closed Systems: Self-contained, rare in nature.

Feedback Mechanisms:

• Negative Feedback: Promotes stability.

• Positive Feedback: Encourages change.

Earth’s Dimensions:

• Polar Circumference: 40,008 km

• Equatorial Circumference: 40,075 km

Latitude and Longitude:

• Latitude: Angular distance north/south of equator.

• Longitude: Angular distance east/west.

Time Zones:

• Standard time covers 15° longitude; DST maximizes daylight.

• Eastern Standard Time: GMT -5, adjusts during DST.