Lesson 1: Answers/hints for exercises

  1. Describe two examples of earth systems that existed twenty thousand years ago.

    1. An ocean with its plant and animal life, currents, erosion, etc.
    2. A continental forest with its plant and animal life, responses to changes in weather, etc.
    3. A global weather system, with its wind currents, precipitation, changes in temperature, etc.

     

  2. Describe two earth systems that are primarily a result of human activity.

    1. Air transportation: Comprised of thousands of daily flights, interaction with the atmosphere, effects of fuel combustion, consequences for automobile traffic patterns, etc.
    2. Large-scale agriculture, with its diversion of water, chemical additives to soil, cultivation, erosion control, etc.

     

  3. Describe two examples of spatial data, i.e. data that would be associated with location.

    1. Populations of towns and cities
    2. Atmospheric pressure throughout a large region at a given time
    3. Concentration of types of wildlife population in a large region

     

  4. Which of the following are usually taken as spatial data?
    1. Location of various cities in the United States
    2. Wave lengths of the colors in the visible spectrum
    3. Dates of Easter during the twentieth century
    4. Percentage, by precinct, of voters participating in a general election
    5. Air pollution index at a given time
    6. The number of calories in a hamburger

    5.  

  5. Which of the following seem/are natural systems, i.e. systems that apparently exist without human influence?
    1. Continental drift
    2. A national election in the United States
    3. Migration of whales
    4. Earth's global weather system
    5. Ocean tidal motion
    6. Seasonal changes in farmland soil chemistry
    7. Production of chicken eggs

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Materials developed by-
Wm. Rundberg
College of San Mateo
1700 West Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, Ca. 94402
650.574.6258
rundberg@smcccd.cc.ca.us