Physical Geography
The four spheres
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere
Time zones
based on this relationship between the sun and the lines of longitude of the earth's grid. Straddle the standard meridian
Longwave radiation
earth radiates
Circle of illumination
touches both poles.
Map projections
developed in order to deal with distortion in different ways
Positive feedback
reinforce or accentuate change (emailing prof...more questions)
Important lines of latitude
Goes left and right
Great circles/small circles
Great- created when a plane passing through the center of theearth divides the earth in half. Small- do not divide the earth in half.
5 themes of geography
Location Region Human-Earth relations Place Movement
Earths orbit around the sun
Orbit is elliptical (oval path) Average distance from the sun is 93 million miles
Parallel vs. meridian
Parallel lines goes left and right meridian lines go up and down
electromagnetic spectrum
Short and long wavelegnths
Auroras
Solar wind interacting with the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere.
Solstices vs. Equinoxes
Solstices occur in June & December, edge of circle of illumination is around 66.33º causing polar circles to be 24 hr sunlight or darkness, depending on earth's position in orbit; opposing seasons in northern vs southern hemispheres Equinoxes occur in March & September, edge of circle of illumination passes directly through the poles, daylength = nightlength everywhere on the planet for that one day
Suns altitude
angle above horizon
Catography
The science of making maps
Geography
The study of he changing patterns and processes taking place at the Earth's surface, human activities, and the relationships between human activities and the natural world.
Open system
There are inputs and outputs of energy and matter (river systems)
Closed system
There are no inputs or outputs (Hydrologic cycle) (the earth)
Analemma
a diagram that shows the declination of the sun throughout the year
insloation
acronym for incoming solar radiation. The flow of solar energy intercepted by an exposed surface. Measured in units of watts per square meter
Negative feedback
compensate or reduce change (tend to regulate) (email prof...no more questions)(Stability)
Important lines of longitude
goes up and down
Subsolar point
point on the Earth receiving maximum insolation,where rays are directly overhead
Shortwave radiation
sun radiates shorter wavelengths have higher energy
Net radiation
the difference between incoming and outgoing flows of radiation
