GEOG 1710 Exam 1 Review: Intro to Earth Science

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Questions and Answers

What does GPS stand for?

Global Positioning System (correct)

Gravity Positioning System

Geographic Plotting Service

Geospatial Positioning System

What are digital elevation models produced by?

GPS instrumentation

Satellite imaging

Terrestrial surveying

GIS technology (correct)

What can be affected by coronal mass ejections (CMEs)?

Weather patterns

Tectonic activity

Auroras (correct)

Ocean currents

At what latitudes do auroras typically occur?

Between 65° N and 65° S Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of wavelengths that the human eye can typically detect?

380 to 700 nanometers Signup and view all the answers

What type of data can be analyzed using GIS technology?

Geospatial data Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take for the Solar System to complete one orbit around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy?

200 million years Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about radiant energy is true?

It travels in waves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of geography according to the study of Earth sciences?

The study of spatial and temporal patterns on Earth and the processes that create them. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Earth as an open versus a closed system?

Earth receives energy from the Sun but does not exchange matter. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative feedback in a system's operational process?

Information that discourages change, leading to stabilization. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the Earth’s shape?

Earth is an oblate spheroid, flattened at the poles. Signup and view all the answers

What role does remote sensing play in understanding Earth systems?

It uses satellites and aerial devices to collect data from a distance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the international prime meridian established in Greenwich, England?

It serves as the starting point for measuring longitude east and west. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Greenland appear larger than South America on the Mercator Projection?

Map projections distort size due to their representation of a round object. Signup and view all the answers

What concept illustrates the interaction of components within a system?

Systems thinking Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Earth Science/Geography

Geography studies spatial and temporal patterns on Earth and associated processes, emphasizing human-Earth relationships.
Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old; the universe is expanding, influencing concepts in geology and astronomy.
The scientific method includes systematic procedures crucial for understanding population growth and sustainability issues, focusing on size, distribution, individual impact, and future projections.
Systems thinking involves analyzing ordered sets of interacting components; Earth functions as an open system for energy (receiving solar energy) and a closed system concerning matter.

Feedback Loops

Feedback loops in systems provide information that can either stabilize (negative feedback) or encourage change (positive feedback).
Examples include energy flow and the hydrologic cycle, illustrating how systems self-regulate through feedback mechanisms.

Cartography/Geography Basics

Earth is an oblate spheroid, slightly bulging at the equator and flattened at the poles.
Absolute location is defined using latitude (north-south measurement) and longitude (east-west measurement) coordinates.
The prime meridian (0°) passes through Greenwich, England, representing a significant navigation development.
Map projections, such as the Mercator, distort sizes; for example, Greenland appears larger than South America.

Geospatial Data on Earth

Remote sensing involves obtaining Earth information from a distance via satellites or aerial technologies, crucial for environmental monitoring.
Data is captured as radiant energy, processed, and transmitted to Earth for analysis, allowing for digital representation of geographical information.
GPS technology captures precise latitude, longitude, and elevation using signals from satellites, while GIS analyzes geospatial data using layered information systems.

Solar Energy and Seasons

Celestial bodies in the galaxy revolve in a pattern defined by distance from the galactic center; our Solar System orbits the Milky Way every 200 million years.
The Sun comprises approximately 99.86% of the solar system's mass, emitting radiant energy that is vital for powering Earth's systems and regulating temperature.
The interaction of solar wind from the Sun causes auroras in Earth's polar regions, specifically near latitudes above 65° N and S, with visible occurrences observed at latitudes as low as 35° in extreme conditions.
Human vision detects electromagnetic wavelengths between 380 to 700 nanometers. Invisible wavelengths, such as infrared, can be sensed without sight.

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Description

Prepare for the GEOG 1710 Exam 1 with this comprehensive review of introductory concepts in earth science and geography. Explore key themes like human-Earth relationships, the expanding universe model, and the scientific method as it relates to population growth and sustainability. Enhance your understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns that shape our world.