Intro to physical geography

Question 1

name three main components of physical geography

Answer 1

biogeography, climatology and geomorphology

Question 2

when did geography change from being mostly descriptive to being scientific

Answer 2

1950s

Question 3

what is the role of physical geography in the 21st century

Answer 3

understand how humans shape climatic, biogeographic and geomorphic phenomena now and in the future

Question 4

name three key concepts in physical geography (things that we study)

Answer 4

1. Systems and equilibrium
2. Models
3. Patterns and processes

Question 5

what does metastable mean

Answer 5

within a small margin of stability: ie. currently stable but could be on the edge of becoming unstable

Question 6

what happens if boundaries of a system collapse and the steady state is broken?

Answer 6

a tipping point is crossed

Question 7

what does morphodynamic equilibrium mean

Answer 7

self-adjusting system that involves fluid dynamics, sediment transport

Question 8

what is a proximate cause?

Answer 8

the event closest or immediately responsible for causing some observed result

Question 9

what is an ultimate cause

Answer 9

the real reason that something occurred