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GEOG 120 > GEOG 120 MIDTERM > Flashcards

GEOG 120 MIDTERM Flashcards

(90 cards)

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1
Q

What are the Earths four spheres?

A

Abiotic
Atmosphere, hydrosphere (cryosphere), lithosphere

Biotic
Biosphere

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2
Q

2 kinds of rocks in lithosphere?

A

Felsic rocks - aluminum, sodium, potassium, calcium - aluminosilicate minerals

Mafic rocks - magnesium, iron, ferromagnesian minerals

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3
Q

What is albedo?

A

The ratio of reflected solar radiation to incoming solar radiation

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4
Q

List four factors that insolation depends on

A

Latitude
Position of sun in the sky (sun angle)
Time of year
The nature of earths rotation and axial tilt

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5
Q

2 kinds of planets

A

terrestrial (duh)

jovian - gasses

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6
Q

what is the orbit of the earth around the sun called?

A

the plane of the eliptic

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7
Q

Define aphelion and perihelion

A

aphelion - point where earth is farthest from the sun – in July

perihelion - point when the earth is closest to the sun – in January

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8
Q

What is our time system called and how does it work

A

Universal time coordinated (UTC)
24 time zones - 15 degrees/ zone
Relative to prime meridian and the international date line (180th meridian)

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9
Q

What is solar wind?

A

A flux of electrically charged particles that take about 3 days to reach earth

magnetosphere of earth deflects some of this radiation towards poles

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10
Q

Insolation and the curvature of the earth

A

Solar radiation that reaches the earth is called insolation

Thermopause is upper boundary – insolation at the top of the atmosphere is the solar constant 1372 W/m2

Variation of intensity reflects the angle of incidence

High angle at low lat is more intense
Low angle high lat is less intense

Subsolar point is the location where insolation is received perpendicular to the surface and is most intense

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11
Q

Why do we have seasons?

A

Seasons are caused by the combination of Earths revolution about the sun and the tilt of earths rotational axis - Axial parallelism

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12
Q

What is the subsolar point and where is it

A

Point at which insolation if perpendicular to earth surface

At equator on equinoxes

at tropic of cancer / Capricorn for summer/ winter solstice

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13
Q

What makes up the geographic grid?

A

Meridians of longitude - vertical, all great circles
-prime meridian designated as 0 degrees

Parallels of latitude - horizontal, only the equator is a great circle

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14
Q

What is important about maps?

A

Present spatial / temporal information about earths systems and inhabitants
-position size shape boundaries
motion and dispersal
spatial / temporal variations
information associated with specific locations

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15
Q

3 ways of displaying spatial data on maps?

A

Point data
Line data
Polygon data

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16
Q

What is a reference map

A

exactly what one would think it is, location of features and for general use

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17
Q

What is a thematic map?

A

Shows one or a limited number of types of information
Dot maps
-non continuous or discreet data that may vary from one place to another

Isoline maps
- Isolines are lines connecting points of equal value on a map
- Isobars- atmospheric pressure
- Isopachs - sediment thickness
- Isotherms - temp
- Isohyets - precipitation
- Contour lines - elevation

Choropleth maps
- represent data by using different colours or shading intensity
- Useful for data that are sorted into classes

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18
Q

What are the three map scales?

A

Representative fraction - 1:250 000

Written scale - 1cm = 2.5km

Graphic scale - actual line on map showing distance - scales with maps changing in print size

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19
Q

List and explain the 6 types of map projections and provide examples if possible

A

Conformal - true shape
- maintains the true shape of objects but the area is distorted
- Mercator projection
- a straight line drawn on a map represents a line of constant compass bearing - useful for navigation

Equivalent - equal area
- maintains true size/area of objects but the shape is distorted
- more accurate
- Eckert projection

Cylindrical -
- similar to conformal
- poles severely distorted

Conic
- Best suited for landmasses with east west orientations or small countries

Planar - genomic
- meridians are straight lines radiating from a central point
- useful for focusing on single regions
- often used for accurate views of the poles

Interrupted
- Goodes projection
- map is disrupted over ocean basins to minimize distortion of landmasses - and equivalent projection

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20
Q

Two types of satellite orbits?

A

sun synchronous orbit

geostationary orbit

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21
Q

Two broad types of remote sensing

A

Passive sensing - instruments detect energy emitted from the surface of the earth
- cameras and aerial photographs

Active sensing - instruments emit their own radiation and detect and analyze what comes back
- Radar - radio detection and ranging
- Lidar - light detection and ranging

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22
Q

Explain some elements of geographic information systems (GIS) - and some possible data layers

A

Data acquisition
… processing
… management
… manipulation
generate maps

Key is common locational identifiers for all the referencing (georeferencing) commonly acquired with a GPS

Uses map data and attribute data

Layers may include - vegetation, soils, hydrology, road networks, municipal infrastructure etc

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23
Q

Describe light wavelengths from short to long

A

Gamma, X, UV, VIBGYOR, IR, microwaves, radar, radio

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24
Q

What is wrens displacement law?

A

All objects radiate energy in wavelengths related to their surface temperature –> the hotter the object the shorter the wavelength of maximum intensity emitted. Wavemax = b (2898um) / T (temp in K)

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25
what is tghe Stefan Boltzmann law?
Hotter objects emit more radiation thsn cooler ones Earth emits less radiation than the sun Small temperature increases result in much larger increases in emitted radiation
26
Difference between shortwave and longwave radiation?
Shortwave - emmitted by hot objectes - sun is hot - includes gamma, x, UV, visible light Longwave - emitted by cooler objects - earth hs a 15 degree surface temperature - includes the thermal infared part of the spectrum
27
What type of radiation reaches and leaves earth?
Earth receives shortwave radiation fro the sun (insolation) and some of this radiation reahes the earths surface past the ozone and atmosphere where it is absorbed and warms the surface Earth emits longwave radiation (thermal infared) back into space
28
What are the four main gasses in the atmosphere?
N2 78%, O2, 21%, Ar (1%) -- water vapour 0-4%
29
What are the two broad categories of atmosphere?
Heterosphere 80 -480 km - distinct layers due to gravity - H2 and He at top of heterosphere - N2 and O2 in lower Homosphere - 0 - 80 km uniformly mixed except for ozone ozone layer is 19-50km
30
Name 3 molecules that absorb SW and 3 that absorb LW
SW - N2, O2, O3 LW - H2O, CO2, CH4
31
What are the two outcomes when energy is absorbed?
Raise the temp of the matter - sensible heat Result in matter changing its phase or state - latent heat
32
What is it called when the atmosphere emits longwave radiation towards earths surface?
Counterradiation
33
Describe the greenhouse effect in 5 steps
SW absorbed by surface from sun LW is emitted back to space Some LW absorbed by GHG Some of the absorbed LW goes back to space Rest of absorbed LW heats earths surface via counterradiation
34
What does ozone mainly absorb and what are two things that re causing ozone holes?
Ozone mainly absorbs UV (SW) light / radiation chlorofluorocarbons bromofluorocarbons
35
Name 3 effects of air particulates (aerosols and solid forms)
helps precipitation to form - condensation nuclei absorbs or reflects energy negative impact on environment and health effedts
36
What is conduction?
transfer of heat by collision of atoms or molecules (it travels up the cold object, holding the end of a pan)
37
What is convection?
Transfer of heat by movement of fluids in a semicircular pattern (heat rises, cold sinks)
38
What is radiation?
Transfer of heat by electromagnetic radiation
39
What percentage of incoming solar radiation reaches earth?
25% reaches earth directly 20% is indirectly radiated back down to earth Bonus - 21% is reflected back into space by clouds
40
What is reflection?
The portion of incoming radiation that bounces directly back into space without being absorbed or performing any work Albedo is the ratio of reflected solar radiation to the incoming solar radiation Albedo = SWaway / SWin x 100%
41
What is the rayleigh scattering rule and what does it imply?
The shorter the wavelength the greater the scattering, the longer the wavelength the less scattering Hence why when the sun is at a high altitude scattering produces a blue sky and why when it is at a low latitude it produces a red sunset
42
What are 6 things that happen as energy is absorbed at the earths surface?
Latent heat melt snow and ice thaw permafrost evaporate water Sensible heat heat the ground surface heat air in contact with ground heat stored in the ground
43
What is longwave radiation?
Longwave (terrestrial) radiation Directly lost to space (LW out) absorbed in the atmosphere emission from the atmosphere to space (LW out) Counterradiation from the atmosphere to the ground (LW in)
44
What is the total LW radiation lost to space in some way and what is the total shortwave radiation absorbed by earth in some way?
69%
45
What are the four distinct layers of the atmosphere?
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
46
List 5 points about the troposphere
Surface to an average altitude of 12km 90% of the mass of the atmosphere Tropopause at -57 deg --> higher away at the equator zone where weather occurs contains majority of organisms
47
What is the environmental lapse rate of the troposphere?
Wamed from bottom up by LW out Temperature decreases with altitude at the environmental lapse rate 6.5c/km
48
What is a temperature inversion?
A layer of the troposphere where the air warms rather than cools with altitude Can happen in cities
49
List 4 points about the stratosphere
18-50km Stratopause located at 50km Contains the ozone layer that absorbs UV Temperature increases with altitude because of the absorption of UV radiation by the ozone
50
List 4 points about the mesosphere
50-80km mesopause at 80km Temp decreases with altitude Noctilucent clouds can occur
51
List 4 points about the Thermosphere
same as the heterosphere 80km+ Thermopause at 480km Solar radiation interacts with oxygen molecules causing an increase of temperature with altitude
52
What is the difference between heat and temperature?
HEat is the flow of energy from one system or object to another due to temperature differences temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual molecules in matter, the higher the temp the faster they move
53
What are 5 factors that control air temperature
Latitude Season Altitude Cloud cover Maritime vs continental
54
Why does altitude affect air temp?
Because air density decreases with increasing altitude, and thinner air has a low capacity to absorb radiation and generate heat
55
What is the maritime vs continental effect?
Maritime effect -- describes locations that exhibit the influences of the ocean , usually along coastlines -- more consistent temperatures year round -- water has a high evaporation rate and a high specific heat capacity Continental effect refers to areas less affected by sea and therefore having a greater range between maximum and minimum temps on both daily and yearly basis
56
What is atmospheric pressure?
The force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of the air on that surface air pressure decreases with increasing altitude Wind results from a horizontal difference in air pressure
57
What does convection refer to in terms of the atmosphere?
vertical motion in the atmosphere updrafts and downdrafts
58
What are the three driving forces within the atmosphere?
Pressure gradient force Coriolis force friction force
59
What is the pressure gradient force?
Results from atmosphere that is directed from a high pressure area to a low pressure area Responsible for initial movement of air F = -1/p (deltaP/deltan)
60
What is the Coriolis force?
an effect of the earths roation deflects a moving object to the right of its moving direction in the north and to the left in the south force increases as object travels faster effect strongest near the poles
61
What is the frictional force in the atmosphere?
strongest at ground level friction causes wind to slow down and move at an angle across isobars
62
What is geostrophic wind?
Sorta like a figure 8 of cyclones Occurs with a wombo combo of the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force
63
4 points about low pressure systems
A circulating body of air where relatively low atmospheric pressure is created as air rises away from the surface Referred to as a cyclone Horizontal flow of air is counterclockwise in the north and clockwise in the south surface air flow converges towards low pressure systems (warm air ascends and cools)
64
4 points about a high pressure system
A circulating body of air that exerts relatively high atmosphereic pressure as air sinks towards surface (warms and lowers) referred to as an anticyclone horizontal flow of air is clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the south surface air flow diverges away from high pressure systems
65
What are the three levels of wind circulation
Primary circulation refers to general global circulation. - Meridional f lows move north or south along meridians. - Zonal f lows move east or west along parallels of latitude. Secondary circulation is related to migratory high-pressure and low-pressure systems. Tertiary circulation includes local winds and temporal weather patterns. (winds are named from the direction they originate)
66
What is the ITCZ
The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone appears as a band of clouds , that encircles the globe near the equator. It exists because of the convergence of the trade winds. In the northern hemisphere the northeast trade winds converge with southeast winds from the Southern Hemisphere. The point at which the trade winds converge forces the air up into the atmosphere, forming the ITCZ. ITCZ migrates with seasons / axial tilt -- Winter = south, summer = north
67
Where are the great deserts located in terms of tropical circulation?
Beneath the descending limbs of Hadley cells
68
List and define 4 key points (terms w definitions) about midlatitude circulation
Ferrel Cells are convection loops that mix cool polar air with warm tropical air the Polar Front is the line of contact between the 2 contrasting air masses –located at about 60N and 60oS - air moved by the Westerlies is forced aloft along the Polar Front - associated with midlatitude wave cyclones Polar Jet Stream consists high velocity (350-450 km/hr) high-altitude winds that are formed in response to steep temperature/pressure gradients Rossby Waves develop as undulations in the Polar Front linked to energy exchange in the mid-latitudes
69
What is a jet stream?
Irregular and concentrated band of westerly winds
70
What are rossby waves? this one is so fucking long holy
- air flow at high altitudes exhibits zonal circulation (W to E) - temp contrast on either side of polar front increases and rossby waves develop - circulation shifts from west to east to become more north and south (meridonial circulation) --- warm front of midlatitude cyclones (warm moves south) --- cold front of midlatitude cyclones (cold air moves south) - mass of cold air is pinched off of main polar mass and mass of warm air is pinched off of main midlatitude air mass - zonal flow is reestablished
71
What is the polar cell?
circulatory loop in the polar regions
72
What is polar high pressure circulation?
-- air flowing northward from midlatitudes is forced aloft on the polar front then sinks above the polar region producing a weak high pressure system -- consists of the masses of rotating descending cold dry air that diverges towards the polar front --- polar easterlies
73
List 3 points on oceanic circulation
heat energy is also exchanged via ocean circulation ocean surface currents are driven by winds through the transfer of energy winds to water via friction large circulation loops known as gyres form as continents block the movement of water -- driven by winds associated with subtropical high pressure systems, trade winds and westerlies
74
How much of the hydrosphere is freshwater available for human and animal consumption?
0.02%
75
What are the three energy absorbing processes and three energy releasing processes of water?
Absorbing --, melting, evaporation, sublimation Releasing -- freezing, condensation, deposition
76
Define humidity?, the saturation curve, specific humidity and relative humidity
The concentration of water in air, warm air can hold more water than cold air saturation is the point where the air cannot hold any more water at its current temperature, graph go wee -- relative humidity = 100% for temp Specific humidity is how much water is actually in the air Relative humidity is the ration of specific humidity to maximum humidity
77
What is the dew point temperature?
The temp at which a given mass of air becomes saturated and net condensation begins to form water droplets
78
What does adiabatic processes refer to?
Temperature changes resulting from expansion and compression of air due to pressure fluctuations Air cools and rises as it expands Air warms and sinks as it compresses
79
What is DAR and SAR?
DAR is rate at which dry air cools by expansion if ascending or heats by compression if descending Dry means less than saturated (RH less than 100) = 10degC/1000m SAR is rate at which ascending parcel is cooled by expansion -- saturated 5degc/1000m
80
When does air become 100% saturated?
At the lifting condensation level, RH = 100%, also the dew point temperature
81
What are the two criteria for cloud formation?
Air must be saturated Must be a substantial quality of small airborne particles for water to collect on - condensation nuclei
82
What are the three cloud types classified by form or shape?
Cirroform -- hairlike / feathery Stratiform-- horizontal and layered Cumuliform -- vertical and dense
83
What are the two kinds of fog?
Advection fog -- when warm and moist air overlays coolo ocean currents the layer becomes chilled to its dew point temp Radiation fog -- cooling of ground surface during evening cools air to dew point temp
84
What are the two possible processes for precipitation to fall from clouds?
Drop collision - collision coalescence Ice crystal growth - Bergeron ice crystal process
85
What are the four types of lifting that facilitate cloud formation and precipitation?
convergent lifting convectional lifting orographic lifting frontal lifting (cold and warm fronts)
86
Name 2 high pressure systems and 2 low pressure systems
High pressure systems - subtropical high - warm/dry - polar high - cold dry Low pressure systems - ITCZ - warm/ moist/ convergent lifting - Mid latitudes - cool, moist, frontal lifting
87
What are the three criteria for classifying air masses?
Moisture - m for moisture (maritime) and c for continental/dry Temperature - A for arctic, P for polar, T for tropical, E for equatorial and AA for Antarctic Source regions -- see above
88
List differences between cold and warm fronts
Warm front warm air advances, warm air lifted slowly, light rain or snow 1000km wide precipitation occurs ahead of front Cold front cold air advances, warm air lifted vigorously, intense precip 400km wide precipitation occurs behind front
89
Define high pressure ridges and low pressure troughs
High pressure ridges form when altitude of pressure surface is higher and anticyclones occur Low pressure troughs when altitude of pressure surface is lower and cyclones occur
90
explain the process of cyclogenesis and the stages of cyclones
process that forms midlatitude cyclones conditions in upper atmosphere and surface are significant upper level convergence sends air to the surface creating higher pressure upper level divergence allows air to rise creating low pressure Cyclogenesis -- convergence of cold and warm air masses - starts with stationary fronts Open stage - warm air moves north and cold air moves south Occluded stage -- cold front overtakes warm front Dissolving stage -- cold air mass completely cuts off warm air mass from its source of energy and moisture - cyclone ends

GEOG 120 (2 decks)

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