geopgraphy review 2 Flashcards
(47 cards)
Physical Geography
The branch of geography dealing with natural features and processes of the Earth.
System:
A set of interrelated components that function together.
Open System:
Exchanges energy and matter with its surroundings.
Closed System:
Only exchanges energy, not matter, with its surroundings.
Map Projection:
A method of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map.
Scale:
The ratio between distances on a map and actual distances on Earth.
Geoid:
The irregular shape of the Earth due to variations in gravitational forces.
Remote Sensing:
Collecting information about Earth’s surface from a distance using satellites or aircraft.
GIS (Geographic Information System):
A computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing spatial data.
Spectral Band:
A specific wavelength range used in remote sensing to capture data.
Insolation:
Incoming solar radiation received by Earth.
Albedo:
The percentage of solar radiation reflected by a surface.
Equinox:
The time of year when day and night are approximately equal in length.
Troposphere:
The lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.
Ozone Layer:
A layer in the stratosphere containing ozone, which absorbs harmful UV radiation.
Greenhouse Effect:
The trapping of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases.
Conduction:
Transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.
Convection:
Transfer of heat by the movement of fluids (air or water).
Latent Heat:
Heat energy absorbed or released during a phase change of a substance.
Urban Heat Island:
Urban areas that are warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
Isotherm:
A line on a map connecting points of equal temperature.
Coriolis Effect:
The deflection of moving objects caused by Earth’s rotation.
Jet Stream:
High-speed winds in the upper atmosphere that influence weather patterns.
Relative Humidity:
The ratio of actual water vapor content to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature.