Lab3

1. What is a data model? Describe the two most commonly used data models. A data model is"a set of rules/constructs used to describe aspects of the real world in a computer". The two most commonly used data models are Vector and Raster.

2. What is topology and why is it important? Topology is, "the study of geometric properties that don't change when the forms are bent, streched or undergo similar geometric transformations". It is important because it is the most efficient method and it captures and records the relationship between features.

3. What type of data model would be best for representing hillside slope? Justify your answer. Vector Data model for the hillside slope is better due to the better resolutions for linear features and has more accurate analysis. 

4. Describe the relationship between spatial detail and cell dimension with regard to raster models. Raster models consist of "features as a set of cells in a grid". In the cell dimension on grid represents on value.The Raster model is easy to understand and create. The one downside that Raster data has, it is challenging to resolve fine spatial detail.

5. What are the four types of attribute data? Give an example of each. They are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Nominal-A set of toy cars. Ordinal- Results in a race. Interval- thermometer. Ratio- Earth's Longitude and Latitude.

6. List two types of vector data file formats. Shapefile and coverages.

7. List two types of raster data file formats. Images and Grids

 8. You can do all of the following in ArcCatalog EXCEPT:
a. Identify features

9. In the Chapter 4 exercises, does the World.mdb geodatabase contain a feature dataset? No, it does not contain a feature dataset.

10. What are the names of the feature classes contained in the World.mdb geodatabase? Cities, Countries, Disapp_area, and World30.

11. What data format does the flight_path.lyr layer file reference? It references the vector data format.

12. What are two ways to add data to an ArcMap document? One way is to click and drag the feature class onto the ArcMap, another is just by going to and clicking on add data in the table of contents of ArcMap.

13. How many features (records) exist in the dissap_area feature class? 699 records exist.

14. How can you determine this using ArcCatalog? By clicking onto the Metadata and the attribute tab.

Lab 1a

Source: Yahoo Maps                                 This map of Antarctica  displays the names of each area and the shape of the continent. One aspect that i find fascinating about Antarctica is that is contains a large number of land ice. I am also concerned about the depleting ice-shelves that have been cutting off and melting into the water. One of my wishes is to visit the continent of Antarctica and see what kind of environment it consists of, if any at all. I would like to see if I would be able to survive one week in the south pole.

 

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Source: Yahoo Maps

 This image of  Australia contains the territories and the surrounding bodies of water. One thing I always hear from people that have visited Australia is how nice the people are. I love a country, especially an entire continent, that has natives that welcome outsiders with open arms. One other thing that I have heard is besides the people that live there, there is lots to see. One other aspect about the continent is the shape of it that appeals to me. If the image is viewed upside down, it appear to me like a dog that is howling up in the air.

Source: Yahoo Maps

 This image of the Canary Islands is one beautiful piece of art work. Not only does it contain the seven islands of the Canaries, but it has enough labeled inside each island that is of any significance. Besides Tenerife being the island of my eventual escape, the life and beauty of the island is breath-taking. The people are friendly and caring the island is a site to see. There is always something going on. The look of the Island of Tenerife appears to be of a sea horse, another aspect that I find appealing.

Lab 2

1. What types of software products are included in ArcGIS and which one will we be
using most in this course?  The types of software products that are included in ArcGIS are ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArToolbook. We will be using the ArcCatalog the most in this course. 


2. Would it be better to perform most of your data analysis and layer symbolization in
data or layout view? Why? It would be better to perform most of the data analysis and layer symbolization data view. In data view you are able to perform more changes to layer symbolization and data analysis.

3. What are two ways to obtain help for ArcGIS Desktop? One way to obtain help for ArcGIS desktop is by using the Identify tool.

4. How are attributes linked to geographic features?Attributes are descriptions of the geographic features such as the names of a country and a city on a geographic map.

5. What is the file extension of an ArcMap document? The file extension of an ArcMap document is .mxd.

6. What are two ways to zoom in/zoom out on a map? One way to zoom in and out is by using the tools toolbar and clicking on the zoom in tool. The other way to zoom in and out is by using the magnifyng window.

7. List three operations available in the ‘context menu’ of a layer. Hint: Right‐clicking
with your mouse in the TOC should help you with this question.  Three operations available in the 'context menu' of a layer are paste layers, add data, and new group layer.

8. If the check box next to a layer in the table of contents is grayed‐out, what does this
mean? How would you resolve this issue? If the check box next to a layer in the table of contents is grayed-out this means that the layer's visibility is dependent on the maps visible scale. To resolve the issue you would zoom in to make the layer visible.

9. What are the differences between large and small scale maps? Provide an example of
each. The differences between large and small scale maps is the small scale maps are more detailed and larger scale maps are more general. An example of a small scale map would be the map of planet earth. A large scale map would be a map of the Island Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands.

10. Describe the differences between features and surfaces. Provide an example for each. Features represent geographic objects of some kind. And surfaces are what is the the surface of that feature.

11. A GIS is a useful problem‐solving tool. You can do all of the following tasks with it,
except one. Which one? B. Query data.
a. Create project criteria
b. Query data
c. Display data on a report
d. Store project data


Using the existing ArcMap document “Ex03c.mxd”, and the knowledge and skills you have
gained from the Chapter 3 exercises, answer the following questions:

12. What are the minimum and maximum elevations of the cities Earhart visited? Briefly
describe how you determined these values. The minimum and maximum elevations of the cities Earhart visited are 0, and 1045. I was able to determine these values by visiting the attributes table on the cities that Earhart visited and observing the table and finding the elevations for each city.

13. On the continent of Africa, what is the approximate distance (in miles) from Dakar to
Assab? What are two techniques (one tool and one process) you could use to figure
this out? The approximate distance from Dakar to Assab is 4,895 miles. One tool I used to figure out the distance is the measure tool in the tools toolbar. The process by which I figured to distance from the two cities is by going on bookmarks, adding length and measuring the length from the cities.

14. What are two possible methods you could use to figure out the names of the cities
shown on the map? The two possible methods you could use to figure out the names of the cities shown of the map is by right-clicking on the cities Earhart visited and clicking on label features. You are also able to click on the box next to Cities Earhart visited in order for it to have a check mark in the box so the cities a visible.

15. Zoom to the extent of North and South America so that all the cities Earhart visited are
labeled. Capture a screen shot (Alt + PrtScr) of this view and paste into your Word
document (Ctrl+v). Turn in this screen shot with your answers from this sheet.