Deck 1: Physical Geography: Earth Environments and Systems

Question 1

The best example of a natural hazard is:

A)an earthquake
B)a physical illness
C)a car accident
D)a house fire

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In a systems model, movement of energy or matter into the system is a(n):

A)subsystem
B)output
C)input
D)closed system

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The waters of the Earth system constitute the:

A)atmosphere
B)lithosphere
C)hydrosphere
D)biosphere

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A decrease in the levels of ozone in the ozone layer:

A)may be related to the human use of chlorofluorocarbons
B)is not a cause for concern to humans because the ozone layer is in the stratosphere
C)cannot be attributed to any human activities
D)has not been shown to be related to the incidence of skin cancers in humans

Question 5

A condition that causes a system to change dramatically is a:

A)mental map
B)threshold
C)model
D)subsystem

Question 6

Geography is often called the ____ science because it includes the recognition, analysis, and explanation of variations in phenomena as they are distributed on Earth's surface.

A)supernatural
B)celestial
C)spatial
D)flexible

Question 7

The extent of an area or areas where a natural feature exists and the arrangements of the natural features of Earth are central to the study of:

A)physical geography
B)human geography
C)biogeography
D)holistic geography

Question 8

Sustainable living means:

A)consuming only manufactured resources
B)consuming resources at a level that Earth can sustain indefinitely
C)consuming resources at a level to which Earth can easily adapt
D)consuming no resources

Question 9

The individual components of a system are called:

A)natural resources
B)variables
C)absolute locations
D)pictorial models

Question 10

A condition or a process in one place generally has an impact on other places.This is known as:

A)spatial distribution
B)a model
C)spatial interaction
D)spatial pattern

Question 11

The chain of processes in a system that operate in a repeating or changing cycle is called:

A)positive feedback
B)negative feedback
C)a steady state
D)a feedback loop

Question 12

What tool do geographers employ to learn about aspects of Earth?

A)ecological regulations
B)environmental protection
C)the scientific method
D)manual methods and references

Question 13

Physical geography's major function is to study and learn about:

A)human activity and the results thereof
B)Earth's environments and the processes that influence them
C)the physical and human features of a region
D)the composition of Earth's crust

Question 14

All living things of the Earth system constitute the:

A)atmosphere
B)lithosphere
C)hydrosphere
D)biosphere

Question 15

Because its various parts are always in flux, an ecosystem is said to be:

A)cathartic
B)lethargic
C)static
D)dynamic

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the study of physical geography?

A)memorizing the precise locations of all the major natural features on Earth
B)knowing major Earth records (longest river, smallest ocean, tallest mountain, deepest lake, fastest wind speed ever recorded, largest hailstone, driest desert, etc.)
C)integrating knowledge about a wide variety of features and processes involving all four of Earth's major subsystems
D)studying the migration patterns of humans and animals

Question 17

The term "system," as defined by geographers, means:

A)a set of objects whose size, shape, and temperature can be measured
B)a set of objects linked together by their relationships to one another
C)a set of objects comprised of continents, oceans, forests, and deserts
D)a set of objects completely independent of one another

Question 18

What is the term for changes that vary within a range of tolerance?

A)output
B)feedback
C)dynamic equilibrium
D)threshold

Question 19

Which of the following best describes an absolute location?

A)a location anywhere on Earth's surface
B)a location 400 kilometers (250 mi) southwest of Chicago
C)a location at 40 degrees north latitude and 90 degrees west longitude
D)a location at the base of the Rocky Mountains

Question 20

The arrangement of features in space is a(n):

A)absolute location
B)spatial distribution
C)spatial interaction
D)spatial pattern

Question 21

A conceptual model of a place and its spatial components is called a "mental map."

Question 22

Earth's linear velocity of rotation is at its maximum at the:

A)poles
B)arctic/Antarctic circles
C)tropics
D)equator

Question 23

Most Earth subsystems are open systems.

Question 24

Systems theory involves defining the system, breaking the system down into its
component variables, and examining how the variables are related to one another.

Question 25

Geography embraces the study of virtually any global phenomena.

Question 26

If viewed as though looking down on the North Pole from space, Earth is turning counterclockwise on its axis.

Question 27

The period of time it takes Earth to make one revolution about the sun is exactly 365
days.

Question 28

The ecosystem concept can be applied on almost any scale.

Question 29

All living things make up the lithosphere.

Question 30

The distance of Earth from the sun plays a major role in the determination of the seasons.

Question 31

As Earth revolves around the sun, Earth's axis remains parallel to its former positions. What is this characteristic called?

A)constant inclination
B)parallelism
C)true bearing
D)angle of incidence

Question 32

Earth moves around the sun in a perfectly circular orbit.

Question 33

Negative feedback refers to any process that is detrimental to the functioning of an environmental system.

Question 34

Earth's rotational axis is inclined ____ from being perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.

A)32 ½ degrees
B)63 ½ degrees
C)66 ½ degrees
D)23 ½ degrees

Question 35

A model is a useful simplification of a more complex reality.

Question 36

The point on Earth's orbit around the sun at which the two bodies are farthest apart is called the:

A)perihelion
B)aphelion
C)ecliptic
D)equinox

Question 37

A closed system means that neither energy nor matter enter or leave the system.

Question 38

The Circle of Illumination bisects Earth's sphere.

Question 39

Dynamic equilibrium is change within a range of tolerance.

Question 40

Our alternating days and nights are caused by:

A)the rotation of Earth on its axis
B)the revolution of Earth around the sun
C)both the rotation and the revolution of Earth
D)the distance of Earth from the sun

Question 41

One of the four major divisions of our Earth system can be best described as a blanket of air that envelops Earth.This is the _______________.

Question 42

Why is systems analysis such a powerful concept for developing an understanding of an environment or an environmental problem? Discuss and provide a clear example.

Question 43

Where something is located in relation to something else nearby is known as _______________.

Question 44

How does Earth as a planet compare to an orbiting space station in terms of providing a life support system for its inhabitants? Other than size, what are some of the differences and similarities in terms of habitation?

Question 45

An environmental condition that can cause a natural system to change dramatically is a(n) _______________.

Question 46

The _______________ is the imaginary circle around Earth halfway between the two poles.

Question 47

A sequence of changes that reinforces the direction of initial change is known as
_______________ feedback.

Question 48

Provide and analyze an example of the advantages for applying each of the three geographic perspectives (spatial, environmental, and physical) to understanding or solving a physical geographically-related problem.

Question 49

_______________ is the term used to describe when Earth has reached its farthest point
from the sun.

Question 50

Geographers are interested in how to divide and synthesize areas into meaningful divisions called _______________.

Question 51

Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of _______________ from a perpendicular to the constant plane on which it travels around the sun.

Question 52

An ecosystem is an example of a(n) _______________ system, because energy and matter are freely exchanged at its boundaries.

Question 53

The most important attribute of Earth is that it is a(n) _______________ system, providing the precise combinations of objects and characteristics to permit the existence of life.

Question 54

"Geo-" refers to "Earth" and "-graphy" means _______________."

Question 55

A(n) _______________ approach to research generally considers and examines all phenomena that are relevant to a given problem or issue.