GEOG1710 1nd Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Current Lecture I Characteristics of Geography II Location and Place III Sensors IV Characteristics of Earth Systems V Positive Feedback and Negative Feedback Current Lecture Characteristics of Geography Geography is a spatial discipline It is the study of any aspect of the Earth It is interdisciplinary Why is it there Look at interactions and how they are relevant to the environment human and physical The effects a business has on neighbors businesses traffic etc Spatial analysis is the method that incorporates information about location and place Physical patterns are energy water air climate etc Physical processes are actions changes that affect patterns Location and Place Matter Latitude is North and South of the Equator Latitude is read either low medium or high o 0 30 is low 30 60 is medium and 60 90 is high either North or South The further away you get from the equator the colder it gets Longitude is East and West of the Prime meridian These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute Using both latitude and longitude you can find the coordinates of any place in the world Sensors Satellites are one way of remote sensing They retrieve information about objects or features from a distance Satellites airplanes lasers cameras are all examples of a sensor Sensor types Passive records energy reflected or emitted from an object s surface o Everything emits radiation Active gets information direct beam at an object records the energy reflected back o Ex radar LiDar Geographic Information System NOT GPS Computer based method used to gather manipulate and analyze Geographic information with location data attached For solving complex problems Maps can contain multiple data layers physical and cultural features Layers can create composite overlay How do we portray Earth Maps a general visual description of an area Projections A globe is the only true representation of I Distance II Direction III Area IV Shape When you project spherical Earth to flat you have to choose one Earth is an integrated system Linked by flows of master and energy o Matter mass that assumes a physical shape o Energy capacity to do work on matter Character of Earth Systems I II III IV Systems can be open or close a Open energy flows in and out and matter flows in and out b Closed matter doesn t leave energy is in and out Can see if gaining or loosing a balanced concept a Income expenses net income up b Income expenses net income down c Income expenses balanced income All systems use energy to perform work a Kinetic b Heat c Light d Chemical Systems can change themselves a A feedback i Positive Feedback amplifies change creates instability vicious cycle ii Negative Feedback dampens change creates stability homeostasis V Composed of smaller systems hierarchical Lithosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere and Atmosphere
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