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LECTURE TOPICS
Click on the links below to find more information about
each of the topics we have discussed throughout the course
(Warning: Some of the material may take a while to
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LINKS:
SYLLABUS
MAP RESOURCES
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
REAL TIME DATA
LECTURE
TOPIC # ONE: The Underpinnings of the Physical Sciences
This lecture contains basic information introducing
physical geography and more about the natural laws that govern our physical
world, how they relate to us in this course and other cool topics.
LECTURE TOPIC # TWO: Earth as a Planet
This lecture introduces the earth as it sits in our universe. Concepts
include the geographic grid, the shape of the earth, the rotation of the
earth, global time and most importantly an introduction to the earth-sun
relationship.
LECTURE TOPIC # THREE: Global Energy Balance
This lecture introduces the concept of global energy balance, energy
transfer and the global budget. Concepts introduced include: radiations,
global insolation, composition of the atmosphere, global energy system,
global energy budgets of the atmosphere and surface, net radiation-latitude
and energy.
© 2007 This website was created and is maintained by Scott Therkalsen:
Instructor of Geography, Grossmont Community College El Cajon, CA. Some of
the content found within was borrowed expressly for educational purposes.
Information is presented in good faith and should be used likewise. Enjoy
LECTURE TOPIC # FOUR: Air Temperature
This lecture introduces the concept of temperature. Concepts covered
include: measurement, temperature Vs heat energy, atmospheric temperature
profile, Surface temperature distribution, insolation receipt, the principle
of continentality, elevation and air density and annual/global temperature
patterns.
LECTURE TOPIC # FIVE: Atmospheric Winds
This lecture introduces the concept of atmospheric winds. Concepts covered
include: Air pressure, measurment, veritical distribution, horizontal
distribution, pressure gradients, the PGF, the Coriolis force, isobar maps,
and pressure systems.
LECTURE TOPIC #7: Atmospheric Moisture and Cloud Formation
Topics covered include atmospheric moisture, water
vapor gas, measures of humidity (specific humidity, relative humidity, and
dew point temperature), adiabatic cooling, and lifting mechanisms
(convective, cyclonic, orographic, frontal)
LECTURE TOPIC # SIX: Global Circulation
This lecture introduces concepts such as the Hadley
single cell circulation, the 3 cell circulation model, global shifts in
atmospheric winds, monsoons and more
LECTURE TOPIC # 8:
WEATHER
Topics covered include weather fronts (warm front,
cold front, stationary front, occluded fronts), Air mass origins, mid
latitude cyclones, tropical cyclones, tornados and weather!
LECTURE TOPIC # 9:
CLIMATE
Topics covered include controls on climate, global
winds/pressure and climate, the Koppen climate classification system,
climographs and climate modeling.
LECTURE TOPIC # 12: Plate Tectonics
Topics covered include earth's energy source,
endogenic vs exogenic processes, the history of plate tectonics, the heros
of plate tectonics, continental drift, and the evidence for plate tectonics.
Topics
covered include photosynthesis, respiration, food chain and energy transfer,
inputs, ecosystems, adaptations, and vegetation distribution/latitudinal
biome distribution.
