Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

Class 2: Introduction to Class 2: Introduction to Geography, Science, Earth’s Geography, Science, Earth’s SpheresSpheres

What’s your major?What’s your major?

91%

9%

1 2

1.1. Elementary edElementary ed

2.2. OtherOther

Concentration (if elem. Concentration (if elem. Ed)?Ed)?

10%0%

90%

0%0%

1 2 3 4 5

1.1. HistoryHistory

2.2. LanguageLanguage

3.3. EnglishEnglish

4.4. MathMath

5.5. ScienceScience

My interest in Earth My interest in Earth ScienceScience

18%

27%

27%

27%

0%1.1. Learning about this interests and Learning about this interests and

excites meexcites me

2.2. I’m fairly interestedI’m fairly interested

3.3. I’m neutralI’m neutral

4.4. Not very interestedNot very interested

5.5. Not at all interested. Not at all interested.

My comfort level with My comfort level with Earth ScienceEarth Science

9%

55%

18%

18%

0%1.1. I’m very comfortableI’m very comfortable

2.2. I’m fairly comfortableI’m fairly comfortable

3.3. I’m neutralI’m neutral

4.4. I’m slightly uncomfortableI’m slightly uncomfortable

5.5. I’m very intimidated – not I’m very intimidated – not comfortable at allcomfortable at all

The Earth SystemThe Earth System

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

Study of processes and features Study of processes and features that make up the Earth, including that make up the Earth, including the human environment where it the human environment where it interfaces with the earth.interfaces with the earth.

SpecialtiesSpecialties

MeteorologyMeteorology ClimatologyClimatology GeomorphologyGeomorphology BiogeographyBiogeography Soil scientistsSoil scientists OceanographersOceanographers HydrologistsHydrologists

Themes of Geography1. Location

2. Characteristics of Places/Regions

3. Spatial Distribution/ Patterns

3. Spatial Patterns3. Spatial Patterns

4. Spatial Interaction4. Spatial Interaction

Destruction of the RainforestDestruction of the Rainforest

4. Spatial Interaction Mt. Pinatubo and worldwide

temperatures

5. Changes in Earth’s Features and Systems

6. Human –EnvironmentalInteractions Post-Katrina New Orleans

The Process of ScienceThe Process of Science

Must be “testable”Must be “testable”

1. Make observation1. Make observation

2. Propose hypothesis2. Propose hypothesis

3. Technique to test 3. Technique to test hypothesishypothesis

4. Use technique,4. Use technique,make observationsmake observations

5. Does test support or 5. Does test support or reject hypothesis?reject hypothesis?

6. Accept? Reject? 6. Accept? Reject? Reformulate?Reformulate?

7. Additional testing?7. Additional testing?

““Scientific theory” Scientific theory” vs. a regular old vs. a regular old theorytheory

Major Major Divisions/SpheresDivisions/Spheres AtmosphereAtmosphere LithosphereLithosphere HydrosphereHydrosphere BiosphereBiosphere

AtmosphereAtmosphere

LithosphereLithosphere

HydrosphereHydrosphere

BiosphereBiosphere

Interactions between Interactions between SpheresSpheres