chapter 1 earth systems

Question 1

what does geography mean?

Answer 1

to write something about earth

Question 2

what is geography?

Answer 2

a science that studies the relationships among: geographic areas, natural systems, humans, and the interdependence of all the above over space (spacial analysis)

Question 3

two types of scopes of geography and what makes up them?

Answer 3

human geography:
-historical
-economics
-anthropology
-sociology
-political science

physical geography:
-biology
-astronomy
-geology
-pedology
-meteorology

Question 4

three scales of hurricane Patricia?

Answer 4

a) global scale: western hemisphere

b) regional scale: Mexicos pacific coast

c) logical scale: damaged restaurant in las manzanillas, Jalisco state, Mexico

Question 5

what is the scientific all about?

Answer 5

DATA DATA DATA

Question 6

steps in the scientific method?

Answer 6

1) observe real world
2) form hypothesis
3) experiment and measure
4) results support hypothesis - peer review
5) results do not support hypothesis - reject methods or conclusions
6) develop a scientific theory

Question 7

human denominator?

Answer 7

Tremendous growth requires Sustainability Science, new interdisciplinary study. Support humans and the Earth systems.
-world keeps growing, hard to support all

Question 8

new branch of science?

Answer 8

New branch of science: sustainability science
-Meeting needs of present generations without using needs of future generation

Question 9

earth system concepts- open and closed?

Answer 9

-A system is any ordered, interrelated set of things and their attributes, linked by flows of energy and matter

-A) open system schematic:
Inputs (energy, matter) -> actions (energy and material conversions, energy and material storage) -> outputs (energy, matter, heat)

-B) open system example: a car:
Inputs (fuel, electricity, oxygen, oil, water, tires, resources, payments) -> actions (energy and material, conversions and storage) -> outputs (exhaust gases, heat energy, mechanical motion, oil waste, used tires, scrap metal and plastic, debt)

Question 10

earth as a system - open and close

Answer 10

-Earth is an open system for energy flows
-Receives energy from the sun
-Earth is a closed system for material flows

-Open system is a system with inputs of energy or matter and outputs of energy or matter
-Ex: human body, houseplant, pot or coffee

-Closed system is shut off from the surrounding environment so that it is self-contained. Closed systems are rare in nature
-Ex: thermos of coffee

-Earth system is an open system in terms of energy
-Earth system is a closed system in terms of physical matter and resources

Question 11

natural open system: a forest

Answer 11

-Inputs:
Sunlight
carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Nutrients to roots
Water to roots

-Actions: chemical reactions convert sunlight to plant sugars (photosynthesis) and sugars to energy for growth (respiration)

-Outputs:
Oxygen
carbon dioxide
Heat
organic matter
Habitat and food for wildlife
Water

-Human earth connections:
forests remove carbon from the atmosphere
Roots stabilize soil
Materials provide human resources

Question 12

system feedback loop? negative and positive?

Answer 12

-Feedback loop: outputs of a system influence the systems operation

-Negative feedback
-Feedback info encourages change in the system
-Stablaizes system

-Positive feedback (snowball effect)
-Feedback info discourages change in the system
-Destabilizes a system

-Which one represents equilibrium ?
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
It is a good thing
Positive feedback does NOT mean good

Question 13

positive feedback loop example?

Answer 13

predator population falls -> fewer predators leads to more prey -> prep population rises -> more prey support more predators -> predator population rises -> more predators deplete prey -> prey population falls -> fewer prey support fewer predators

Question 14

negative feedback loop example?