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