Download physical geography lab exam 1 study guide

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LAB EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
This exam covers the general topics in the handouts. Equations will be included. On the next page you will find
some specific practice examples
Analyzing Geographic Data – interpret graphs, calculate rates of change, use a compass, draw isolines
GIS and RS – use a computer desktop GIS/imagery to answer questions about an environment
Mapping and Geographic Coordinates – make a map based on pace and bearing measurements, find the
latitude and longitude for a given location, find a place when given latitude and longitude
Solar Energy and Sun Angle – diagram the movement of Earth around the Sun, calculate angular velocity and
linear velocity, label the North and South Poles, Arctic and Antarctic Circles, Equator, and the Tropics
of Cancer and Capricorn, understand how the sun angle varies with time at each place, given an equation
calculate the sun angle at a location for various times of the year, calculate the latitude of a mystery
location when given the sun angle
Seasons and the Analemma – use an analemma to answer questions about subsolar point and time, use an
analemma to calculate sun angle, plot sun altitude on a graph and suggest a location, calculate intensity
of insolation, explain why it varies from place to place and time to time
Modern Atmosphere – given equations, convert temperature units, convert pressure units, graph temperature
and pressure in the atmosphere, determine if air pressure is higher or lower based on elevation
World Temperature Patterns – understand the relationship between temperature and latitude, altitude, cloud
cover, and the association with land and water, calculate temperature changes with altitude, draw
isotherms, recognize temperature curves of marine, continental, equatorial, and monsoonal locations,
determine whether a place is in the northern or southern hemisphere
Measuring Moisture and Pressure – given equation, calculate relative humidity using dry bulb and wet bulb
temperatures
Air Pressure and Circulation – label high and low pressure areas, calculate changes in air pressure with
altitude, draw wind patterns, determine areas of saturated air based on temperature and dew point,
calculate relative humidity at different air temperatures, calculate the lifting condensation level for an air
mass, calculate changes in air temperature as humidity and altitude vary, analyze ocean currents based
on temperature and salinity differences and the Coriolis force
Weather Maps – draw air circulation patterns under and around high and low pressure systems, determine the
dominating air masses for a region, identify cold, warm, stationary, and occluded fronts from data on a
map, interpret the weather characteristics from a weather station model, describe the weather using a
series of weather maps and satellite imagery
World Climates – use a climate classification key to determine climate type for a place, compare and contrast
one type from another
Topographic Maps – draw contours, use map scale to determine distances, describe the location of a place
using the Public Land Survey
1. Use the globe to determine the latitude and longitude of Panama City, Florida.
2. What is the sun angle at local solar noon for JCCC today? Use your analemma.
Sun angle = 90 – (difference between latitude of a place and the latitude of the subsolar point)
3. Starting with an air temperature at 8 C and a dew point temperature at 6 C, what is the lifting condensation
level?
Given DAR is 10 C per 1000 m.
Given LCL = (air temp – dew point temp)/DAR
4. Draw isobars at:
1004 mb
1008 mb
1012 mb
1016 mb
1020 mb
What state has the best chance of precipitation?