Geosystems Test Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025
define geography - Answers it is the science that studies the relationships among natural systems,
geographic areas, society, cultural activities, and the interdependence of all of these over space
what are earths four spheres? - Answers -atmosphere
-hyrdosphere
-lithosphere
-biosphere
what are the abiotic spheres? - Answers -atmosphere
-hyrdosphere
-lithosphere
what are the biotic spheres? - Answers -biosphere
describe the atmoshpere - Answers the atmosphere is a thin, gaseous veil surrounding the earth, held in
place above the planet by the force of gravity. formed by gases arising from within earths crust and
interior and the exhalations of all life over time. it is a combination of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon
dioxide, water vapour, and trace gases.
describe the hydrosphere - Answers earths waters exist in the atmosphere, on the surface, and in the
crusts near the surface. collectively, these waters form the hydrosphere. that portion of the
hydrosphere that is frozen is the cryosphere. water of the hydrosphere exists naturally in all three
states, liquid, gas, and solid.
describe the biosphere - Answers the intricate, interconnected web that links all organisms with their
physical environment is the biosphere. the biosphere is the area in which physical and chemical factors
form the context of life.
describe the lithosphere - Answers earths crust and a portion of the upper mantle directly below the
crust from the lithosphere. the soil layer if the edaphosphere, and generally covers earths land surfaces.
what is a system? - Answers -a set of interconnected elements
-boundaries exist
-no randomness
-operates within acceptable limits
what are the types of systems? - Answers open and closed systems
,describe an open system - Answers -inputs energy matter
-energy + material conversions
-energy + material storage
-outputs energy matter
describe a closed system - Answers -no input + output
-sustain on own
-not really such thing
what are the types of feedback? - Answers positive and negative
what does positive feedback do to a system? - Answers help it
what does negative feedback do to a system? - Answers not help it
describe steady-state equilibrium - Answers system fluctuates around a stable average and maintains
same operation level
give an example of a steady-state equilibrium - Answers the human body
describe a dynamic equilibrium - Answers system fluctuates around a stable average but exhibits a trend
overal
give an example of a dynamic equilibrium - Answers temperature
define latitude - Answers the angular distance north or south of the equator
define longitude - Answers the angular distance east or west of the prime meridian
define parallel - Answers a line parallel to the equator, that designates an angle of latitude
define meridian - Answers a line designating an angle of longitude
when writing out the latitude and longitude of a location how must you write it out? - Answers -always
provide latitude first
-always put direction from equator
what is the shape of the earth? - Answers -oblate ellipsoid
-geoid
what is the highest location on earth from the center of the earth? - Answers Mt. Chimborazo
what is the highest point on earth from sea level? - Answers Mt. Everest
, define map projection - Answers the process of transforming spherical earth to a flat map
what are the types of map projections? - Answers -cylindrical
-planar projection
-conic projection
-oval projection
what is remote sensing? - Answers the technique of obtaining information from a distance
- weather systems/hurricanes/volcanoes
what is the geographic information system (gis)? - Answers a computer-based data processing tool or
methodology used for gathering, manipulating and analyzing geographic information to produce a
holistic, interactive analysis
what are the forms of energy derived from the sun - Answers -solar wind
-electromagnetic energy
describe solar wind - Answers -clouds of electrically charged particles
-harmfull
-if reach earth = no organisms would survive
-magnetosphere protects the earth
what results in the northern and southern lights? - Answers -a small amount of solar wind gets through
in the upper atmosphere
what is the alternate name for the northern lights? - Answers aurora borealis
what is the alternate name for the southern lights? - Answers aurora australis
describe electromagnetic energy - Answers wavelength + frequency
what are the radiation laws? - Answers 1)all objects above 0 degree K emit radiation (absolute zero)
2)stephan-boltzmann law
-harder the object = more radiation emitted
3)wiens law
-harder the object = shorter the wavelength
define geography - Answers it is the science that studies the relationships among natural systems,
geographic areas, society, cultural activities, and the interdependence of all of these over space
what are earths four spheres? - Answers -atmosphere
-hyrdosphere
-lithosphere
-biosphere
what are the abiotic spheres? - Answers -atmosphere
-hyrdosphere
-lithosphere
what are the biotic spheres? - Answers -biosphere
describe the atmoshpere - Answers the atmosphere is a thin, gaseous veil surrounding the earth, held in
place above the planet by the force of gravity. formed by gases arising from within earths crust and
interior and the exhalations of all life over time. it is a combination of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon
dioxide, water vapour, and trace gases.
describe the hydrosphere - Answers earths waters exist in the atmosphere, on the surface, and in the
crusts near the surface. collectively, these waters form the hydrosphere. that portion of the
hydrosphere that is frozen is the cryosphere. water of the hydrosphere exists naturally in all three
states, liquid, gas, and solid.
describe the biosphere - Answers the intricate, interconnected web that links all organisms with their
physical environment is the biosphere. the biosphere is the area in which physical and chemical factors
form the context of life.
describe the lithosphere - Answers earths crust and a portion of the upper mantle directly below the
crust from the lithosphere. the soil layer if the edaphosphere, and generally covers earths land surfaces.
what is a system? - Answers -a set of interconnected elements
-boundaries exist
-no randomness
-operates within acceptable limits
what are the types of systems? - Answers open and closed systems
,describe an open system - Answers -inputs energy matter
-energy + material conversions
-energy + material storage
-outputs energy matter
describe a closed system - Answers -no input + output
-sustain on own
-not really such thing
what are the types of feedback? - Answers positive and negative
what does positive feedback do to a system? - Answers help it
what does negative feedback do to a system? - Answers not help it
describe steady-state equilibrium - Answers system fluctuates around a stable average and maintains
same operation level
give an example of a steady-state equilibrium - Answers the human body
describe a dynamic equilibrium - Answers system fluctuates around a stable average but exhibits a trend
overal
give an example of a dynamic equilibrium - Answers temperature
define latitude - Answers the angular distance north or south of the equator
define longitude - Answers the angular distance east or west of the prime meridian
define parallel - Answers a line parallel to the equator, that designates an angle of latitude
define meridian - Answers a line designating an angle of longitude
when writing out the latitude and longitude of a location how must you write it out? - Answers -always
provide latitude first
-always put direction from equator
what is the shape of the earth? - Answers -oblate ellipsoid
-geoid
what is the highest location on earth from the center of the earth? - Answers Mt. Chimborazo
what is the highest point on earth from sea level? - Answers Mt. Everest
, define map projection - Answers the process of transforming spherical earth to a flat map
what are the types of map projections? - Answers -cylindrical
-planar projection
-conic projection
-oval projection
what is remote sensing? - Answers the technique of obtaining information from a distance
- weather systems/hurricanes/volcanoes
what is the geographic information system (gis)? - Answers a computer-based data processing tool or
methodology used for gathering, manipulating and analyzing geographic information to produce a
holistic, interactive analysis
what are the forms of energy derived from the sun - Answers -solar wind
-electromagnetic energy
describe solar wind - Answers -clouds of electrically charged particles
-harmfull
-if reach earth = no organisms would survive
-magnetosphere protects the earth
what results in the northern and southern lights? - Answers -a small amount of solar wind gets through
in the upper atmosphere
what is the alternate name for the northern lights? - Answers aurora borealis
what is the alternate name for the southern lights? - Answers aurora australis
describe electromagnetic energy - Answers wavelength + frequency
what are the radiation laws? - Answers 1)all objects above 0 degree K emit radiation (absolute zero)
2)stephan-boltzmann law
-harder the object = more radiation emitted
3)wiens law
-harder the object = shorter the wavelength
