1. Define physical geography.

2. What does “anthropogenic” mean?

3. Compare spatial scale to temporal scale. How is each used in geography?

4. Compare a large scale to a small scale. Which makes surface features appear larger on a map?

5. How does a change in scale lead to a change in perspective and in the types of questions that can be asked?

6. What are the two major systems of weights and measures? Which of these does the United States use? Which does most of the world use? What do scientists use?

7. What is matter? In what three states does it occur? Give examples.

8. How is the term energy defined?

9. What type of energy gives motion to the atmosphere?

10. What factors cause Earth’s shape to be an imperfect sphere?

11. Define the terms atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.

12. What two types of energy are emphasized in physical geography?

13. Life is a physical manifestation of solar energy. Explain.

14. Where does the energy come from to build up Earth’s landscapes?

15. Where does the energy come from to erode Earth’s surface?

16. What is the geographic grid? How are angular measurements used to form it?

17. What are parallels and meridians? Give examples.

18. What and where are the three major global zones that are based on latitude? Briefly describe each of these zones.

19. What are the two subzones based on latitude?

20. What does GPS stand for? Describe what GPS is used for.

21. What is a map? Are all maps printed on paper?

22. Compare a great circle route with a small circle route. Which is used in long-distance flights by aircraft?

23. Compare a large-scale map with a small-scale map. Which would a map of a single mountain be?

24. What are five important elements most maps have?

25. What are contour lines? Provide examples of their use.

26. What is remote sensing? Compare passive to active remote sensing.

27. Give three examples of remote sensing technologies in wide use today.

28. What is a digital elevation model (DEM)?

29. What is GIS and what is it used for?

30. What does it mean when we say that a map is interactive? Why is interactivity a desirable trait in maps?

31. What is a scientific hypothesis? Why must a hypothesis be testable, and what is used to test one?

32. What is a scientific theory? Can one ever be “proved”? Explain.

33. How were pollen data used to shed light on how Easter Island’s statues were moved?

34. What role did natural resources, particularly forests, play in the health and well-being of the Easter islanders?