Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What does the gravity model in geography primarily describe?

1. A law of spatial interaction between people and goods

2. The effects of cultural diffusion on urban areas

3. The relationship of place size to economic activity

4. A method for measuring population density

The correct answer is: A law of spatial interaction between people and goods

The gravity model in geography is primarily a way to quantify the interaction between two places based on their size and the distance between them. The model draws an analogy to the law of gravitation in physics, positing that larger places (cities, for instance) will attract more people or goods than smaller places, and that this interaction decreases as the distance between them increases. By using this model, researchers can analyze patterns of trade, migration, or travel between locations. It essentially implies that two areas will have a higher likelihood of interaction if they are large and close together, encapsulating the idea that both population size and proximity are critical in determining the flow of people and goods. This foundational concept in human geography emphasizes the connections and relationships between different spatial entities, facilitating a better understanding of how and why these interactions occur. In contrast, the other options focus on different geographical phenomena, such as cultural diffusion, economic activity in relation to place size, and methods to measure population density, which are not the central focus of the gravity model.