03 - The water cycle as a system (processes and fluxes)

Question 1

What is the difference between processes and fluxes?

Answer 1

A process is how it gets from one store to another, while flux is a change of stores.

Question 2

What are the processes in the water cycle?

Answer 2

Ablation, sublimation, precipitation, evapotranspiration, condensation, evaporation, runoff, throughflow, groundwater flow, percolation, surface runoff, overland flow, infiltration.

Question 3

Is the water cycle a closed or open system on a global scale?

Answer 3

On a global scale, the water cycle is a closed system.

Question 4

Is the water cycle a closed or open system on a local scale?

Answer 4

On a local scale, such as a drainage basin or forest ecosystem, the water cycle is an open system.

Question 5

What is the water balance equation?

Answer 5

The water balance equation is the balance of inputs and outputs of water in a system, where inputs add water and outputs remove water. If the inputs and outputs balance, the system is in a dynamic equilibrium.

Question 6

What is the range between evaporation fluxes on land and at sea?

Answer 6

The range between evaporation fluxes on land and at sea is not provided in the information given.

Question 7

What is the range between precipitation fluxes on land and at sea?

Answer 7

The range between precipitation fluxes on land and at sea is not provided in the information given.

Question 8

What is the standard deviation for precipitation over the course of one year?

Answer 8

The standard deviation for precipitation over the course of one year is not provided in the information given. It is shown how to calculate it, but not the final result.

Question 9

What is Dynamic Equilibrium?

Answer 9

• If the sink and stores balance then the water cycle system can be said to be in a dynamic equilibrium