Welcome to Geosystems Core and the study of

1 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.Introduction to Physical Geography

Overview

Welcome to Geosystems Core and the study of physical geography. In this text, we examine the natural processes on Earth that influence our lives—ranging from weather and climate to earthquakes and volcanoes.In this chapter, we take a look at some key geographic questions, such as examining the importance of asking “Where?” and “Why?” We introduce climate change science as an important part of physical geography, define the science of physical geography, and introduce the scientific method. Next we introduce the idea of Earth’s interrelated systems, systems theory, and func- tion. Earth’s dimensions and shape follow, along with a discussion of Earth’s reference grid of lati- tude and longitude, which leads into meridians and time zones. We discuss maps, cartography, basic map elements, map scale, projections, and types of maps. The final module is about modern geoscience tools such as GPS, remote sensing, GIS, and geovisualization.

Key Concepts and Topics for Introduc- tion to Physical Geography and Key Learning Concepts for Introduction to Physical Geography

The Key Concepts and Topics help organize the chapters at a general, thematic level. The Key Learning Concepts are more detailed and relate more to each module.

• What is physical geography?

• How are locations on Earth located,

mapped, & divided into time zones?

• What tools do geographers use?

The following Key Learning Concepts help guide your reading and comprehension efforts. The operative words are in bold italics. Use these carefully to guide your reading of the chapter.These same learning concepts are used in organizing the Review section at the end of the chapter—grouping together brief summaries and review questions, followed by key terms.The student is told “after reading the chapter

you should be able to”:

I.1 The World Around Us • Give examples of the kinds of events, pro- cesses, and questions that physical geography investigates.

I.2 The Science of Geography • Describe the main perspectives of geography and distinguish physical geography from human geography.• Discuss the use of scientific methods in geog- raphy.• Summarize how human activities and popula- tion growth impact the environment.

I.3 Earth Systems • Describe systems analysis and open and closed systems.• Explain the difference between positive and negative feedback information.• List Earth’s four spheres and classify them as biotic or abiotic.

I.4 Earth Locations & Times • Summarize progress in geographical knowledge about Earth’s size and shape.• Explain Earth’s reference grid, including latitude and longitude and latitudinal geographic zones.• Interpret a map of Earth’s time zones.

I.5 Maps & Cartography • List the basic elements of a map.• Explain the three different ways of expressing map scale.• Summarize how and why map projections were developed and how they are used in cartography.• Give examples of the different kinds of maps and how each is used.(Geosystems Core 1e Robert Christopherson, Stephen Cunha, Charles Thomsen) (Instructor Manual all Chapters) 1 / 4

2 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.I.6 Modern Geoscience Tools • Explain how geographers use the Global Positioning System, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and geovisualizations.

A list of Key Concepts begins the chapter and is used to organize the Review section, with brief summaries and review questions grouped under each objective, followed by key terms with page numbers.

Outline Headings and Key Terms

The first-, second-, and third-order headings that divide Introduction to Physical Geography serve as an outline. The key terms and concepts that appear in bold type in the text are listed here under their appropriate heading in bold italics.All these highlighted terms appear in the text glossary.The outline headings and key terms for

Introduction to Physical Geography:

I.1 The World Around Us system Asking Geographic Questions Asking “Where?” & “Why?” Climate Change Science & Physical Geography

I.2 The Science of Geography geography Geographic Perspectives Spatial & Locational Analysis spatial spatial analysis Human Geography & Physical Geog- raphy process physical geography The Scientific Process scientific method Using the Scientific Method scientific theory Human–Earth Interactions in the 21st Century human denominator sustainability

I.3 Earth Systems Systems Theory system open system closed system System Feedback feedback loop negative feedback positive feedback System Equilibrium equilibrium dynamic equilibrium threshold Earth Spheres & Systems Organization in Geosystems Core abiotic biotic

I.4 Earth Locations & Times Earth’s Dimensions & Shape geoid Earth’s Reference Grid latitude longitude Latitude parallel Longitude meridian prime meridian Meridians & Global Time Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) International Date Line International Date Line Daylight Saving Time

I.5 Maps & Cartography map cartography Basic Map Elements The Scale of Maps scale Ratio Scale & Representative Fraction Graphic Scale Written Scale Map Projections map projection Equal Area or True Shape?equal area true shape Types of Maps Mercator projection topographic relief

I.6 Modern Geoscience Tools Global Positioning System Global Positioning System (GPS) Remote Sensing remote sensing 2 / 4

3 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.Passive Remote Sensing Active Remote Sensing LIDAR Geographic Information Systems & Geovisualization geographic information system (GIS) Geovisualization

The Human Denominator: Maps and

Global Change

The World Around Us

What is physical geography?

Key Learning Concept • Give examples of the kinds of events, pro- cesses, and questions that physical geography investigates.

Outline Headings and Key Terms

I.1 The World Around Us system Asking Geographic Questions Asking “Where?” & “Why?” Climate Change Science & Physical Geography

GeoCheck What does the study of physical geography involve?Physical geography is the spatial analysis of all the physical elements, processes, and systems

that make up the environment: energy, air, water,

weather, climate, landforms, soils, humans, ani- mals, plants, microorganisms, and Earth itself.

GEOQuiz

• Pick one of the events described above

and, using your own words, list three geo- graphic questions you would like to answer about that event.Personal answers, but answers might include El

Niño in Chile’s Atacama Desert: Why is it so dry

there? What has changed to create floods?What adaptations do the plants have to make to live in that desert?

• Based on the examples above, would you

say that humans should be considered part of the natural world? Explain your answer.Personal answers, but it is almost impossible to find a part of the natural world that humans have not affected.

• What is some of the evidence for climate

change that scientists have observed?The past decade experienced the highest air temperatures over land and water in the instru- mental record. The extent of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean continues to decline to record lows. Melt- ing of the Greenland and Antarctica Ice Sheets is accelerating and sea level is rising. Intense weather events, drought, and flooding continue to increase.

I.2 The Science of Geography

What is physical geography?

Key Learning Concepts • Describe the main perspectives of geography and distinguish physical geography from human geography.• Discuss the use of scientific methods in geog- raphy.• Summarize how human activities and popula- tion growth impact the environment.

Outline Headings and Key Terms

I.2 The Science of Geography geography Geographic Perspectives Spatial & Locational Analysis spatial spatial analysis Human Geography & Physical Geog- raphy process physical geography The Scientific Process scientific method Using the Scientific Method scientific theory Human–Earth Interactions in the 21st Century human denominator sustainability

Teaching tip: Go through the scientific method

flow chart and evaluate causes of climate change.

GeoCheck Explain the two main subfields in geographical science.Geography is split broadly into two primary

subfields: physical geography, which draws on

the physical and life sciences, and human geog- raphy, which draws on the social and cultural sciences. 3 / 4

4 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.GeoCheck Compare and contrast a hypothe- sis and a scientific theory.A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for the phenomena observed. A scientific theory is a widely accepted explanation for a phenomenon that is based on evidence and experimentation and has withstood the scrutiny of the scientific community.

GeoCheck What percent of the world popula- tion is under 25 years of age?26%.

GEOQuiz

• Explain the origin of the term geography.

Geography—from geo, “Earth,” and graphein, “to write.”

• Describe at least two perspectives that

geography uses to study Earth.Personal answers, but may include spatial and location analysis or human and physical geog- raphy.

• Identify how much more—or less—energy

you might use living in Latin America, Asia, or Africa.Americans and Canadians use more than 2 times the energy per capita of Europeans, more than

• times that of Latin Americans, 10 times that of

Asians, and 20 times that of Africans.

I.3 Earth Systems

What is physical geography?

Key Learning Concepts • Describe systems analysis and open and closed systems.• Explain the difference between positive and negative feedback information.• List Earth’s four spheres and classify them as biotic or abiotic.

Outline Headings and Key Terms

I.3 Earth Systems Systems Theory system open system closed system System Feedback feedback loop negative feedback positive feedback System Equilibrium equilibrium dynamic equilibrium threshold Earth Spheres & Systems Organization in Geosystems Core abiotic biotic

GeoCheck Explain the difference between an open and closed system in nature.

A natural system is generally not self-contained:

inputs of energy and matter flow into the system, whereas outputs flow from the system. Such a

system is referred to as an open system: the

human body, a lake, or a wheat plant. A system that is shut off from the surrounding environment so that it is self-contained is known as a closed system. Closed systems are very rare in nature, since the Sun provides energy that powers almost all the ecosystems, except for a few found around deep-sea vents.

GeoCheck Describe the relationship between Earth spheres and the content organization in Geosystems Core.The abiotic spheres are the atmosphere (Chap- ters 1–3), hydrosphere (Chapters 4–7), and litho- sphere (Chapters 8–12). The biosphere, the living matter of Earth, is covered in Chapters 13–14.

GEOQuiz

• Identify the role a “threshold” plays in an

environmental system.A system tends to resist change until it reaches a threshold or tipping point, where it lurches to a new operational level.

• Describe an example of a “feedback” loop

in nature.The Arctic sea ice–albedo loop is a positive feed- back loop where rising ocean temperatures melt sea ice, which reduces albedo, so the ocean absorbs more heat, which warms the ocean.

• Explain the difference between abiotic and

biotic systems.Biotic systems involve living organisms, while abiotic systems do not.

I.4 Earth Locations & Times

How are locations on Earth located, mapped, & divided into time zones?

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