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Phys. Geo - ch. 1-2
Physical geography vocabulary chapters 1 and 2.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| physical geography | study of features of Earth's living/non systems, such as its landscapes and the natural processes that form them, as well as planetary origins. |
| human geography | focuses on spatial interactions and patterns related to human activity, including social, cultural, ad economic topics. |
| atmosphere | composed of gases that envelop and protect the planet from harmful solar radiation. |
| hydrosphere | all the water, in all forms including oceans, surface waters of the land ground water, water held in atmosphere, and precipitation. |
| lithosphere | structural rock foundation of planets surface |
| biosphere | earth's living plant and organisms, which use the hydrosphere for moisture, the atmosphere for life supporting gases, and the lithosphere for nutrients |
| meridians | a north/south line on the earths surface that connects the poles (longitude) |
| parallels | an east/west circle on the earths surface lying in a plane parallel to the equator (latitude) |
| map projection | a system of parallels and meridians representing the earths curved surface drawn on a flat surface. All have distortion (area, shape, or distance) |
| GIS (geographic information systems) | a combination of software, data and operational organization that provides the capacity to capture and communicate relations among geographic features, values, and objects in digital databases. |
| GPS (global positioning system) | provide all with the ability to determine geographic location rapidly and accurately. consists of 24 satellites plus 21 or more spares orbiting at 17500km. |
| electromagnetic radiation | wave form of energy radiated by any substance processing internal energy; it travels through space at light speed. |
| shortwave radiation | electromagnetic energy in the rang of .2 to 3 micrometers. includes ultraviolet light the visible light spectrum, and near- shortwave - infrared radiation |
| longwave radiation | electromagnetic energy in the range of 3 to 5 micrometers. Includes a portion of infrared radiation, as well as microwave, radar, and wavelengths conventionally associated with communications transmissions, such as radio and tv |
| insolation | the flow rate of incoming solar radiation, as measured at the top of the atmosphere. Measured in units of watts per square meter. |
| inclination | tilt of the earth @ 23.5 degrees |
| equinox | the instant in time when the sun is directly overhead at the equator and the circle of illumination passes through both poles. |
| autumnal (fall) equinox | Sept 22 |
| vernal (spring) equinox | Mar 22 |
| solstices | the instandt in time when the earths axis of rotation is fully tilted (23.5 deg) either away /toward the sun |
| summer (n. hem) solstice | june 22 (longest) |
| winter (n. hem) solstice | dec 22 (shortest) |
| troposphere | lowest atmospheric layer. thickest in the equator and tropic regions, from sea lvl to 16km. thin at poles 6km. 50% of atmospheric volume |
| stratospere | 50km. |
| absorption | process in which electromagnetic energy is absorbed when radiation strikes the molecules or particles of a gas, liquid or solid, raising its energy content (H2O and CO2 are biggest absorbers) |
| scattering | the process by which particles and molecules deflect incoming solar radiation in different directions on collision; atmosphere scattering can redirect solar radiation back to space |
| Albedo | the proportiond of solar radiation reflected upward from a surface. Measure in scale of 0 to 1, black near 0, white near 1. |
| greenhouse gases | the collection of gases in the atmosphere that absorb the earths emitted long wave radiation, raising the temperature in the earth's lower atmosphere. |
| greenhouse effect | absorption of outgoing long wave radiation by components of the atmosphere and re-radiation back to the surface, which raises surface temperature |
| solar noon | sun is directly overhead |
| Tropic of Capricorn | parallel of latitude that is approximately 23.5 degrees south the equator |
| Tropic of Cancer | parallel of latitude that is approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator |
| Tropics | latitude at a distance of about 23.5 degrees north or south of the equato |
| Tropical Zone | b/t 25 N and 25 S |
| Equatorial Zone | b/t 10 N and 10 S |
| Prime Meridian | established as the reference point E. and W. Longest meridian at 0 degrees E. and W. Passes through Greenwich, England |
| latitude | divides globe into two speres, parallels, N. and S. divided by the Equator. 0 to 90 degrees. |
| longitude | divides globe into two spheres E. and W. divided by the Prime Meridian and IDL. Meridians, 0 to 180. 15 degree incriments. |
| IDL (international date line) | established as the reference point E. and W. in 1884 International Agreement. Longest meridian at 0 degrees E. and W. |
| equator | reference point N. and S. Longest parallel at 0 degrees |
| artic circle | parallel of latitude at 66.5 degrees N. |
| antartic circle | parallel of latitude at 66.5 degrees S. |
| analemma | a plot or graph of the position of the sun in the sky at a certain time of day |
| 5 themes of geography | location, place, region, h.e.i., movement (mR. HELP) |
| location | where is it (absolute v. relative) |
| absolute location | coordinates, lat/long, or physical address |
| relative location | description (up, right, south, 3 blocks ahead) |
| place | characteristics that make a place unique (landscape, climate, language, culture) |
| region | area with common characteristics to use for comparing similarities/differences over time (rocky mountain region, gulf coast region) |
| h.e.i. (human environment interaction) | study of human-earth relationships, to understand how we shape the earth and use its resources |
| movement | how people, goods, ideas and energy travel the globe |
| Subtropical Zone | b/t 35 N and 35 S (bt 25-35) |
| Mid-latitude | b/t 55 N and 55 S (bt 35-55) |
| Subarctic | b/t 60 N and 60 S (bt 55-60) |
| Artic /antartic | b/t 75 N and 75 S (bt 60-75) |
| North/S Polar | b/t 90 N and 90 S (bt 75-90) |
Created by:
slickv
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