study_q_cards

Question 1

What does ‘Geography’ literally mean?

Answer 1

To write (about) Earth.

Question 2

What is the main methodology governing geographic inquiry?

Answer 2

Spatial analysis.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of scientific theories?

Answer 3

They are based on natural laws (such as those pertaining to gravity, relativity, atomic theory, etc.).

Question 4

What is the key idea behind the scientific method?

Answer 4

The testing of ideas through controlled observations and experiments.

Question 5

Which of the following pairs of words best describes the relationship between carbon dioxide absorbed by plants to: 1) a forest; and, 2) the atmosphere?

Answer 5

1) input; 2) output.

Question 6

A large flood in a river may cause abrupt shifts leading to the carving of a new channel. Which of the following best defines the point at which this change occurs?

Answer 6

A threshold.

Question 7

T/F: The prime meridian and the 180th meridian are opposite halves of the same great circle.

Answer 7

t

Question 8

T/F: The day officially changes on Earth at the prime meridian.

Question 9

T/F: Latitude is the angular distance measured north or south of the equator from the center of Earth and it describes a parallel line on the surface.

Answer 9

t

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the subsolar point?

Answer 10

It only occurs at lower latitudes, between the tropics (23.5° N/S).

Question 11

Which of the following is characterized by the longest wavelengths?

Answer 11

Radio waves.

Question 12

To what does the thermopause refer?

Answer 12

The top of the atmosphere of Earth.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the relationship between insolation at the thermopause relative to latitude?

Answer 13

Lower latitudes receive more insolation than high latitudes annually.

Question 14

To what does the term ‘net radiation’ refer?

Answer 14

It refers to the difference in amount of incoming and outgoing radiation.

Question 15

The declination of the Sun migrates through how many degrees of latitude annually?

Answer 15

47°.

Question 16

Which of the following is true for the March Equinox?

Answer 16

The subsolar point is at the equator.

Question 17

While standing at the Tropic of Cancer, Emma’s shadow points north at noon (Sun time). Based on this, which of the following can be definitely concluded?

Answer 17

It must not be the summer solstice.

Question 18

T/F: The axis of Earth is tilted 19.5° relative to the plane of the ecliptic.

Question 19

T/F: The electromagnetic spectrum only shows the wavelengths associated with solar radiation.

Question 20

Which atmospheric zone supports the biosphere and is the region of principal weather activity?

Answer 20

Troposphere.

Question 21

Which of the following is true of Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 21

The ozonosphere and ionosphere shield the surface from harmful radiation.

Question 22

How are the gases in the heterosphere arranged and why?

Answer 22

They are poorly mixed due to the influence of gravity which causes gases of different weight to separate into layers.

Question 23

What are the two most abundant gases in the atmosphere?

Answer 23

Nitrogen and oxygen.

Question 24

In which two atmospheric zones does temperature increase with altitude?

Answer 24

Stratosphere and thermosphere.

Question 25

Why is stratospheric ozone loss a concern?

Answer 25

Stratospheric ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVB and UVC).

Question 26

Which of the following is correct regarding lapse rates in the troposphere?

Answer 26

The environmental lapse rate refers to the actual lapse rate at any particular time and may differ substantially from the normal lapse rate.

Question 27

What is the result of the reaction of automobile exhaust and ultraviolet light?

Answer 27

The reaction produces photochemical smog.

Question 28

T/F: Weather (rain, fog, storms, etc.) occurs primarily in the troposphere.

Answer 28

t

Question 29

T/F: Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.

Answer 29

t

Question 30

T/F: The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is higher now than any time in the last 800,000 years.

Answer 30

t

Question 31

The albedo of a surface is a measure of which of the following processes?

Answer 31

Reflection.

Question 32

Which of the following has the highest albedo?

Answer 32

Fresh snow.

Question 33

What happens if a surface absorbs insolation?

Answer 33

Its temperature increases.

Question 34

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, what would happen to the temperature of the planet and why?

Answer 34

Temperature would decrease because less insolation would be absorbed.

Question 35

What does the figure above illustrate regarding the relationship between insolation and air temperature through the course of day?

Answer 35

Air temperature reaches a maximum in the afternoon, whereas insolation reaches a maximum at noon.

Question 36

In the surface energy budget, what does the term - SW↑ represent?

Answer 36

Surface albedo.

Question 37

What is the source for longwave radiation (+ LW↓) arriving at Earth's surface?

Answer 37

It comes primarily from infrared energy emitted by the atmosphere.

Question 38

The reflective quality of a surface is called its albedo and is expressed as a percentage.

Answer 38

t

Question 39

High latitudes have a higher albedo in winter than do lower latitudes.

Answer 39

t

Question 40

Heat energy flows from objects that are warmer to those that are cooler.

Answer 40

t

Question 41

Air temperature is a measure of the presence of which of the following?

Answer 41

Sensible heat.

Question 42

What is temperature?

Answer 42

It is a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual molecules in matter.

Question 43

Which of the following is the temperature control that includes the heat capacity of a substance?

Answer 43

Specific heat.

Question 44

If the temperature at the surface of Earth (at sea level) is 40°C, what is the approximate temperature at 2000 m if the normal lapse rate is 6.4 C° per 1000 m?

Answer 44

27°C.

Question 45

How does the specific heat of land compare to water and what does this mean about the rate of heating of land versus water?

Answer 45

Specific heat of land is lower; so land heats more quickly than water.

Question 46

What is the difference between elevation and altitude?

Answer 46

Elevation is the height of a point on the surface of Earth; altitude is the height above the surface of Earth.

Question 47

Both City A and City B are located at the same latitude and experience the same amount of cloud cover. City A has a mean annual temperature of 27°C and a temperature range of 22°C. City B has a mean annual temperature of 26°C and a temperature range of 14°C. Which city is located in the interior of the continent?

Answer 47

City A.

Question 48

T/F: Air pressure decreases with increased elevation.

Answer 48

t

Question 49

T/F: Clouds moderate temperatures producing lower daily maximums and higher nightly minimums.

Answer 49

t

Question 50

T/F: You would expect a tropical island to have a high degree of continentality.

Question 51

Which is the force that initiates air flow?

Answer 51

Pressure gradient force.

Question 52

Which is an isoline of equal pressure plotted on a weather map?

Answer 52

An isobar.