GEO 155 1st Edition Exam 1 Study Guide Lectures 1 12 Week 1 Introduction to the Natural Environment 1 What are three characteristics that can be used to describe geography 2 What is the atmosphere constructed of 3 What is the function of the barometer 4 Describe the vertical temperature changes throughout the atmosphere 5 Give an approximate of the constant gases the make up the atmosphere and then the variable gases 6 What is the distribution of pressure throughout the atmosphere like 7 How do latitude and longitude lines run 8 When considering the longitudinal line 0 degrees what is the name of this area 9 What was the greatest influence on physical features 10 What is the significance of longitudinal lines 11 What are the names and latitudinal coordinates of the nine positions discussed in class Answer 1 1 Distribution of Phenomena 2 Characteristics of Place 3 Change through Time 2 Gases liquids and solids 3 The barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure 4 Vertical temperatures proceed as followed 1 Troposphere first layer closest to the earth temperatures increase from the peak down to 0 km 2 Stratosphere second layer separated by the tropopause ozone layer temperatures decrease from its peak to its lowest point 3 Mesosphere third layer temperatures increase from its peak to its lowest point 4 Thermosphere last layer temperatures continue to rises exponentially from its lowest point 5 Three quarters of the atmosphere is nitrogen 20 is oxygen gas and less than 1 is argon Trace gases make up few parts per million and include helium and hydrogen Water vapor makes up 4 carbon dioxide has increased to 400 ppm methane has increased to 2 ppm and ozone is from 1 10 ppm 6 Pressure increases as altitudes of the atmosphere decrease 7 Latitude runs north to south and longitude runs west to east 8 Prime meridian or Greenwich Meridian equator 9 Latitude i e lower latitudes have warmer climates 10 Most valuable for time reference 11 Equator 0 degrees North Pole 90 degrees Polar Fronts 60 degrees Horse Latitudes 30 degrees South Pole 90 degrees Arctic Circle 66 5 degrees Antarctic Circle 66 5 degrees Tropic of Cancer 23 5 degrees Tropic of Capricorn 23 5 degrees Week 2 1 Does the revolution of the Earth around the sun cause our seasons 2 What influences the energy levels of the Earth When do we receive more energy How does this relate to beam spreading 3 What is radiation 4 What are the two radiation laws 5 What are four conditions that happen to solar radiation as it is emitted to the surface 6 What is albedo 7 What are Greenhouse gases 8 Why is the ozone layer important 9 How can you determine the direction of the Earth s spin 10 Compare aphelion and perihelion 11 Why does the annual range of radiation vary across latitudes 12 How many hours of daylight are there at the North Pole Arctic Circle Tropics Equator Antarctic Circle and South Pole during the December Solstice June Solstice March Equinox and September Equinox What are the sun angles on these days at these positions on the globe as well Answer 1 No the cause of our seasons is the tilt of the Earth on its axis by 23 5 degrees 2 Solar altitude and day length influence energy levels on the Earth The higher and longer the sun is out the more energy one receives Beam spreading is the amount of energy per unit of area thus higher beam spreading the more energy we receive on Earth 3 Radiation is transfer of energy without benefit of a medium 4 A Hotter objects emit radiation B Hotter objects emit shorter wavelengths of radiation 5 A Absorption refraction reflection and direct radiation 6 Albedo is the percentage of shortwave radiation reflected 7 Greenhouse gases are water vapor carbon dioxide methane nitrous oxides 8 The ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful solar radiation UV 9 Use the right hand rule in which the thumb is pointed upwards and the direction of the Earth s rotation is in the direction the other four fingers curve 10 Aphelion is when the Earth is farthest from the sun in its orbit July 4 th and perihelion is when the Earth is closest to the sun January 3rd 11 Higher latitudes have greater ranges at the poles 12 Daylight Hours and Sun Angle a North Pole i December Solstice 0 hours and 0 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours and 0 degrees iii June Solstice 24 hours and 0 90 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours and 0 degrees b Arctic Circle i December Solstice 0 12 hours and 0 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours and 0 90 degrees iii June Solstice 12 24 hours and 0 90 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours and 0 90 degrees c Tropic of Cancer i December Solstice 0 12 hours 0 90 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees iii June Solstice 12 24 hours 90 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees d Equator i December Solstice 12 hours 0 90 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours 90 degrees iii June Solstice 12 hours 0 90 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours 90 degrees e Tropic of Capricorn i December Solstice 12 24 hours 90 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees iii June Solstice 0 12 hours 0 90 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees f Antarctic Circle i December Solstice 12 24 hours 0 90 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees iii June Solstice 0 12 hours 0 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees g South Pole i December Solstice 24 hours 90 degrees ii March Equinox 12 hours 0 90 degrees iii June Solstice 0 hours 0 degrees iv September Equinox 12 hours 0 degrees Week 3 1 Compare and contrast conduction and convection 2 What creates winds 3 How does force move on a pressure gradient 4 When does geostrophic flow occur 5 Which direction does Coriolis deflect in the Northern Hemisphere In the Southern Hemisphere 6 In the Northern Hemisphere which direction do cyclones move and in which pressure system 7 In the Northern Hemisphere which direction do anticyclones move and in which pressure system 8 In the Southern Hemisphere which direction do cyclones move and in which pressure system 9 In the Southern Hemisphere which direction do anticyclones move and in which pressure system 10 Why does wind slow down at the surface 11 What direction do winds flow in the sub tropic highs 12 Describe the concept of Hadley cells 13 What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants 14 What are some common pollutants 15 Define point and nonpoint sources 16 Give examples of some mechanisms of natural sources of air pollution Give examples of anthropogenic sources 17 How is air