UST 289 - Midterm 1|2023 LATEST UPDATE|GUARANTEED SUCCESS

Physical Geography study of earths living and nonliving systems/ study of landscapes Geographers' considerations Spatial considerations (related to physical space) and Temporal considerations (related to changes of time Atmosphere the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet. Biosphere part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere (all three) Hydrosphere All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans Lithosphere A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust. Eratosthenes Greek mathematician and astronomer who estimated the circumference of the earth and the distances to the moon and sun (276-194 BC) Scientific method formal process that a scientist uses to solve a problem Scientific method steps generate inquiry, formalize questions, select methods of analysis, collect data, conduct experiments, reject or accept, and document results. (gfsccrd) Hypothesis logical explanation for a process that allows prediction and testing theory hypothesis that has been tested and is strongly supported by experimentation, observation, and evidence Shape of the Earth spherical but not perfect, bulge around equator (.3%) Poles two points on the earths surface where the axis emerges Axis imaginary straight line through the center of the Earth around which the Earth rotates (tilted 23.5%) Latitude angular distance for a point north or south of the equator as measured from the Earth's center Longitude angular distance for a point east or west of the prime meridian(greenwich) as measured from the Earth's center Solar time based on earth's rotation, one day equals 24 hrs Solar noon time of day when sun is highest in sky Standard time a method of measuring time based on time at the prime meridian (15*= 1 hour) Daylights savings time clocks are set ahead by an hour (spring forward) International date line Follows 180th meridian except through the Aleutian islands, Alaska and island nation of Kiribati. Marks where each new day begins Cartography science or art of making maps Challenge in mapping scale: distortions in shape and size Geographical Information Systems (GIS) combination of software, data, and operational organization that provides the capacity to capture and communicate spatial relationships among geographic features, values, and objects in digital databases Global Positioning System A system that determines the precise geographic locations on Earth through a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers (minimum of 3 satallites) Electromagnetic Radiation a wave form of energy radiated by any substance possessing heat traveling at the speed of light Wavelength measured distance separating one wave crest from the next wave crest (longer=less energy, shorter=more energy) Solar Radiation radiant energy emitted by the sun from a nuclear fusion reaction that creates electromagnetic energy Solar angel effect on temperature direct lights is warmer, while at an angle covers more ground therefore less intense Amount of time for sunlight to reach earth 8 minutes Insolation flow rate of incoming solar energy as measured at the top of the atmosphere Rotation earth spinning on it's axis Revolution Earth's yearlong elliptical orbit around the sun Aphelion furthest point from the sun in earth's orbit Perihelion nearest point to the sun in earth's orbit North Star axis points towards polaris Precession of Earth Gravity-induced, slow, and continuous change in the orientation of Earth's axis. period every 26,000 years. North pole will not always point at same place. Equinox when the sun is directly overhead at the equator and the circle of illumination passes through both poles Solstice when the Earth's axis of rotation is fully tilted 23.5 degrees either toward or away from the sun Seasonal change on sunlight days longer and warmer during summer and shorter and cooler in the winter Midlatitude zone characteristics one mild winter, one severe winters Atmosphere layers troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere