Question

What theme of geography is indicated by using a GPS signal on a smartphone? A. location B. place C. region D. movement

Short answer

A. location

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Question

The question asks which theme of geography is indicated by using a GPS signal on a smartphone. There are four options: location, place, region, and movement.

- Review the Geography Themes

Geography has several themes: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.

- Understand What GPS Does

GPS (Global Positioning System) provides precise information about a specific point on Earth's surface. It's used to determine the exact position of a person, vehicle, or object.

- Match Themes with GPS Function

Out of the themes, 'location' directly relates to providing precise coordinates or addresses where something is situated. Therefore, using a GPS signal to determine a position fits the theme of location the best.

Key concepts

location

Location is a fundamental concept in geography. It refers to a specific place or position on Earth's surface. Understanding location is crucial because it helps us know where things are and how they relate to other places. Generally, location can be of two types:

• Absolute Location: This is a fixed point on Earth's surface, often given in coordinates like latitude and longitude.
• Relative Location: This describes a place’s position in relation to other locations. For example, 'north of the river' or 'next to the park'.

GPS technology helps determine the absolute location by providing geographic coordinates. When you use a GPS signal on a smartphone to find a spot, it gives you the exact coordinates, applying the concept of absolute location perfectly.

GPS

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based system used for pinpointing locations anywhere on Earth. This system consists of at least 24 satellites orbiting the Earth, each transmitting signals to pinpoint your exact position.
How does GPS work?

• Satellites send signals to your device.
• The device calculates the time it takes for each signal to reach it.
• Using this data, the device determines its distance from each satellite.
• Finally, it triangulates its position to give you precise coordinates.

GPS is incredibly useful for everyday activities, from navigating a car to finding your way while hiking. It underscores the importance of the 'location' theme in geography.

geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates are a system used to locate points on the Earth's surface. They consist of

• Latitude: Measures how far north or south a place is from the equator. It's given in degrees, where the equator is 0° and the poles are 90° north or south.
• Longitude: Measures how far east or west a place is from the Prime Meridian, which is 0° longitude.

Together, these coordinates provide a precise 'address' for any location on Earth. For example, the coordinates 40° N, 74° W refer to a point that is 40 degrees north of the equator and 74 degrees west of the Prime Meridian. In a GPS, these coordinates are essential to determine your exact location.

educational workbook

Educational workbooks are excellent tools for learning and practicing geographical concepts. They provide structured exercises and problems to solve, helping students grasp complex topics more easily. For instance, a workbook might include:
Exercises on identifying different types of locations.

• Activities that require using GPS coordinates to find specific points.
• Questions that reinforce the understanding of geographic themes, such as location, region, and movement.

These workbooks are invaluable for reinforcing classroom learning, providing additional practice, and ensuring students can apply what they've learned in real-world scenarios. They also often include step-by-step solutions to guide students through the correct processes and enhance their understanding.