Chapter 1

Homework 1: Chapter 1 Peter Hogan Read Chapter 1: Essentials of Geography and view the Chapter 1 lectures (found under Course Documents). Answer the following questions. The following are short essay questions – please fully answer each question in complete sentences. The answers should be longer than just a few sentences to fully address the question (I am looking for complete paragraph answers). 1. What is unique about the science of geography? On the basis of information in this chapter, define physical geography and review the geographic approach. Geography studies how natural systems, geographic areas, and human culture relate. It also studies their interdependence on each other and studies things over time and space. Physical Geography studies how human influence natural systems, since we have more influence than previously thought. It is the spatial analysis of everything that creates the environment; energy, air, water, etc. The geographic approach is high-level vision using geospatial technology to solve problems. It is the basis for GIS analysis. 2. Suggest a representative example for each of the five geographic themes and use that theme in a sentence. Such as: “ atmospheric and oceanic circulation spreading radioactive contamination is an example of the movement theme.” An example of location is the city, in which I live in, Kansas City, Missouri. The Sahara Desert is a place where camels live. How the earth is today is a result of Human-Environment Interaction. Example: Humans being dependent on nature for survival. Movement studies how various things change location on earth. Example: emigration. The United States is a region of North America. 3. How is a scientific hypothesis different from a scientific theory? There are several differences between a scientific hypothesis and scientific theory. A hypothesis is a prediction based on observations. It is based on limited data. You must observe the test subject to make a conclusion. A theory must be supported by an abundance of evidence. Theories have underwent multiple testings and are well-established. They can have a variety of different researchers that work on them independently. Theories can always be changed or disproven. 4. List the basic steps in many scientific investigations. Question, research, hypothesize, test hypothesis, collect data, analyze data, make conclusions. 5. List and briefly describe Earth’s four spheres. The Hydrosphere is made up of all of earh's gaseous, liquid, and solid water. It expands to the lithosphere and earth's crust into the atmosphere. The Biosphere is made up of everything living on earth. It represents all animals, plants, and microorganisms Earth has to offer. It also includes humans. The Lithosphere is made up of everything hard and solid on earth's surface. It includes rocks and mountains. The Atmosphere refers to air. It is made up of various scientific elements. 6. Define systems theory as an organizational strategy. What are open systems, closed systems, and negative feedback? When is a system in a steady-state equilibrium condition? What type of system (open or closed) is the human body? A lake? A wheat plant? Systems theory is when one can describe how nature society, and science work together for the same result. Open systems move matter and energy to another close environment. Closed systems are the same, but won't move matter. Negative feedback keeps temperature at a constant state. A system is in steady-state equilibrium when it is constant over time. The human body is a open system. A lake is a open system. A wheat plant is open system. 7. Identify the various latitudinal geographic zones that roughly subdivide Earth’s surface. In which zone do you live? The latitudinal geographic zones are the north frigid zone, the north temperate zone, the Torrid Zone, The south temperate zone, the south frigid zone. I live in the north temperate zone. 8. What and where is the prime meridian? How was the location originally selected? Describe the meridian that is opposite the prime meridian on Earth’s surface. The prime meridian is a imaginary line of 0 longitude, measuring east and west around the earth. The location was set in London, because it was easy to see from space. The 180th meridian is opposite of the prime meridian. It runs east and west of the prime meridian. 9. What is GPS and how does it assist you in finding location and elevation on Earth? The Global Positioning System orbits around satellites and sends details about your location from space to earth. Location is detected through calculating position, time, and the location of the vehicle. Elevation is based on earth's shape from a mathematical prospective. 10. Select a location (for example, your home, workplace, or a city) and determine the following: elevation, latitude, and longitude – including the coordinates in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Describe the resources you used to gather this geographic information, such as an atlas, web site, Google Earth, or GPS measurement. The Kansas City Convention Center Elevation: 856 ft. Latitude: 39.5 ft, Longitude: 51 ft. I used Google Earth to get these measurements.