Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Domain 1: Fundamentals of Physical Geography
This domain tests the Earth as a system: landforms built and worn down by forces, the atmosphere's energy and moisture, ocean water, and the biosphere's links with climate and soil. Expect definitions, processes and simple cause–effect reasoning rather than isolated labels.
Core rules
- Geomorphology: endogenic forces (plate movement, volcanism, folding, faulting) build relief; exogenic forces (weathering, erosion, transport, deposition) wear it down. The rock cycle links igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
- Atmosphere: insolation is strongest near the equator; pressure belts shift with the apparent movement of the Sun. Rising air gives low pressure and rain; descending air gives high pressure and dryness. Relative humidity is water vapour present as a proportion of capacity at that temperature.
- Hydrosphere: oceans absorb and move heat; salinity varies with evaporation, precipitation, river inflow and ice melt.
- Biosphere: ecosystems exchange energy and matter; climate and soil control biome type.
Worked example
A hill station is 3,000 m above sea level; the sea-level temperature is 30 °C. Using the normal lapse rate of about 6.5 °C per 1,000 m, the drop is 3 × 6.5 = 19.5 °C, so the hill-station temperature is about 10.5 °C. Reasoning: the lapse rate is applied per kilometre, and the height is three kilometres.
Traps
Do not confuse weathering (in situ breakdown) with erosion (removal). Do not call all downward air dry: descending air is dry because it warms, not because it lacks water vapour. Do not treat insolation as equal everywhere; cloud, angle and day length matter. In lapse-rate sums, keep units consistent.