Introduction to Physical Geography

Question 1

Physical Geography (Earth Science)

Answer 1

The branch of geography dealing with natural features and processes of the Earth, including climate, landforms, vegetation, and water bodies

Question 2

Science

Answer 2

A systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge through observation, experimentation, and explanation of natural phenomena

Question 3

Scientific Inquiry

Answer 3

The process of exploring the natural world through asking questions, making observations, and conducting experiments to develop explanations and predictions

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A testable statement or educated guess about a phenomenon or relationship, often forming the basis of scientific experiments

Question 5

Scientific Question

Answer 5

A question posed to investigate natural phenomena, leading to experimentation and analysis

Question 6

Scientific Research

Answer 6

A methodical study undertaken to discover facts or principles about the natural world, often divided into pure and applied research

Question 7

Scientific Discovery

Answer 7

The process or outcome of finding new knowledge, concepts, or phenomena through scientific research

Question 8

Pure Research

Answer 8

Research conducted to gain fundamental understanding without immediate practical application

Question 9

Applied Research

Answer 9

Research aimed at solving practical problems using scientific principles and findings

Question 10

Geographic (Spatial) Inquiry

Answer 10

A method of studying the spatial relationships and interactions between people, places, and environments

Question 11

Scientific Method

Answer 11

A systematic approach to investigation: observe, hypothesize, experiment, analyze, and conclude

Question 12

Absolute Location

Answer 12

The exact position of a point on Earth’s surface, expressed in coordinates of latitude and longitude

Question 13

Relative Location

Answer 13

The position of a place in relation to other locations

Question 14

Plane of the Equator

Answer 14

An imaginary horizontal plane dividing Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Question 15

Great Circle

Answer 15

A circle on the surface of a sphere that divides it into two equal hemispheres, representing the shortest distance between two points

Question 16

Circle of Illumination

Answer 16

The dividing line between the daylight and the nighttime sides of Earth

Question 17

Plane of the Ecliptic

Answer 17

The plane along which Earth orbits the Sun

Question 18

Small Circle

Answer 18

A circle on Earth’s surface that does not divide the planet into two equal parts

Question 19

Latitude

Answer 19

Angular distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees

Question 20

Parallel

Answer 20

A line of constant latitude running east-west on Earth’s surface

Question 21

Zones of Latitude

Answer 21

Geographic divisions based on latitude: tropics, subtropics, mid-latitudes, subarctic, and polar zones

Question 22

Longitude

Answer 22

Angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees

Question 23

Meridian

Answer 23

A line of constant longitude running from the North Pole to the South Pole

Question 24

Greenwich Meridian (Prime Meridian)

Answer 24

The zero-degree longitude line, passing through Greenwich, England

Question 25

International Date Line

Answer 25

An imaginary line roughly following the 180* longitude where the date changes by one day when crossed

Question 26

Time Zone

Answer 26

A region of Earth with a standard time, typically spanning 15* of longitude

Question 27

Geographic Grid System

Answer 27

A coordinate system using latitude and longitude to locate points on Earth's surface

Question 28

Spatial Data (Geospatial Data)

Answer 28

Data that is associated with a specific location on Earth

Question 29

Non-Spatial Data

Answer 29

Information that is not tied to a specific geographic location, such as statistical data

Question 30

Geocoding

Answer 30

The process of converting an address or description into geographic coordinates

Question 31

Remote Sensing

Answer 31

The collection of information about Earth from a distance, using tools like satellites and aerial photography

Question 32

Satellite Imagery

Answer 32

Images of Earth captured by satellites for analysis and mapping

Question 33

Aerial Photography

Answer 33

Photographs of Earth's surface taken from an aircraft

Question 34

Radar

Answer 34

A technology that uses radio waves to detect and map physical features of Earth's surface

Question 35

Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar)

Answer 35

A remote sensing method that uses laser light to measure distances and create high-resolution maps

Question 36

Triangulation

Answer 36

A method of determining location by measuring angles from known points

Question 37

Ephemeris

Answer 37

A table or dataset giving the positions of astronomical objects at specific times, used in GPS systems

Question 38

Almanac

Answer 38

A dataset used in GPS providing information about satellite locations and health

Question 39

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Answer 39

A system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial and geographic data

Question 40

Raster

Answer 40

A data format for GIS using a grid of pixels to represent spatial information, often used for images

Question 41

Vector

Answer 41

A GIS data format using points, lines, and polygons to represent features like roads and boundaries

Question 42

Georeferenced

Answer 42

Spatial data that is tied to a specific location on Earth

Question 43

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Answer 43

The range of wavelengths used in remote sensing, from visible light to radar

Question 44

Scale

Answer 44

The ratio of the distance on a map to the actual distance on the ground; affects detail and area coverage