The+Nature+of+Physical+Geography

Page 1: Introduction

• Title: The Nature of Physical Geography

• Course: Geography 102: Physical Geography

• Institution: Fullerton College

Page 2: Geography as a Field of Learning

• Definition:

  • Geography originates from the Greek terms:

    • geo meaning "Earth"

    • graphein meaning "to write"

• Characteristics of Geography:

  • It is a method rather than just a body of knowledge

  • Holistic approach: considers entire systems

  • Eclectic: incorporates various disciplines

  • Utilizes spatial analysis: examining the arrangement of phenomena across space

  • Employs Earth systems science: interdisciplinary approach combining physical and human geography

Page 3: Scientific Knowledge

• Understanding Science:

  • Science encompasses more than just the scientific method

  • Example contrast: Science can explain technical capabilities (like cloning a T. rex)

  • Humanities provide perspectives on ethical considerations (such as the implications of cloning)

Page 4: Science and Geography

• Scientific Method Steps:

  • Observe phenomena

  • Formulate a hypothesis

  • Design an experiment

  • Predict outcomes

  • Conduct the experiment

  • Draw conclusions

  • Achieve scientific “proof”

Page 5: Scientific Theory vs. Scientific Law

• Scientific Theory:

  • Explanation of natural events validated through repeated observations

• Scientific Law:

  • A statement of observed phenomena consistently holding true

  • Examples often misinterpreted as mere theory (e.g., gravity and evolution)

Page 6: Earth Systems Concepts

• Systems Theory:

  • A system is interrelated components working together for a process

  • All systems need an energy source

  • Types of systems:

    • Open Systems: interact with surroundings

    • Closed Systems: isolated from external influences

  • Feedback and Equilibrium:

    • System feedback mechanisms and maintaining equilibrium

Page 7: Open System Example

• Inputs:

  • Energy and material (e.g., fuel, oxygen, water)

• Outputs:

  • Products/resulting matter (e.g., exhaust gases, waste, mechanical motion)

• Automobile Example:

  • Inputs: fuel, oil, tires, resources

  • Outputs: heat loss, waste, debt

Page 8: Closed System - Water Cycle

• Water Cycle Processes:

  • Involves various stages: precipitation, evaporation, condensation, etc.

  • Examples of storage: in ice, atmosphere, oceans, groundwater, etc.

  • Highlight the interconnectedness and flow of water through systems

Page 9: Photosynthesis and Respiration in Plants

• Plant Processes:

  • Input of CO2 and H2O, conversion into sugars (energy)

  • Photosynthesis: harnessing sunlight and transforming it into chemical energy

  • Respiration: breaking down sugars for energy release

  • Water transpiration's role in maintaining plant health

Page 10: Feedback Systems

• Concepts:

  • Positive Feedback: reinforces the initial stimulus, accelerating change

  • Negative Feedback: counteracts the initial stimulus, promoting stability

  • Equilibrium refers to a stable state of a system

Page 11: Dynamic Equilibrium

• Example:

  • Florida's Atlantic coast demonstrates dynamic equilibrium through continuous sand erosion and deposition by ocean currents

  • Indicates balance and interaction of natural forces

Page 12: The Environmental Spheres

• Four Primary Spheres:

  • Atmosphere: air and gases

  • Lithosphere: Earth's solid structure

  • Hydrosphere: water in all forms

  • Cryosphere: ice domains

• Additional Sphere:

  • Biosphere: all living organisms

  • Anthrosphere: human influence on the environment

Page 13: Earth's Dimensions

• Circumference Measurements:

  • Polar: 40,008 km

  • Equatorial: 40,075 km

  • North and South Pole measurements indicate geoidal bulge variations

Page 14: The Geographic Grid

• Importance of Location:

  • Accurate location is critical for geographic analysis

  • Based on Earth's rotation axis leading to the definition of coordinate systems such as latitude and longitude

  • Graticule: grid overlay for map representation

Page 15: Latitude in the Geographic Grid

• Latitudes:

  • Parallels measure angles north/south of equator

  • Significant latitudes:

    • Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)

    • Equator (0°)

    • Poles (90° N/S)

    • Arctic/Antarctic Circles (66.5° N/S)

  • Latitude zones defined by these markers

Page 16: Latitudinal Geographic Zones

• Zones Defined:

  • Arctic: 66.5° N to North Pole

  • Subarctic: 55° N to 66.5° N

  • Midlatitude: 35° N to 55° N

  • Subtropical: 23.5° N to 35° N

  • Equatorial/Tropical: 23.5° N to 23.5° S

  • Antarctic Zones similarly defined

Page 17: Longitude in the Geographic Grid

• Longitudes:

  • Meridians measure angle east/west from Prime Meridian in Greenwich

  • They converge at poles, critical for geographic description and navigation

Page 18: Great Circles

• Definition:

  • Great circles bisect the sphere and pass through its center

  • They indicate the shortest path between two points on the globe

  • Circle of illumination and small circles also explained

Page 19: Great Circles and Small Circles

• Visual Differentiation:

  • Each pair of meridians creates a great circle; parallels (except the equator) form small circles

  • Great circles provide equal halves, whereas small circles divide the globe unequally