1.a. Coastal landscapes can be viewed as systems

Question 1

What is the definition of a system?

Answer 1

A system is a set of interrelated objects comprising components (stores) and processes (links) that are connected together to form a working unit or a unified whole.

Question 2

What is the definition of scale?

Answer 2

A scale is present e.g. in coastal landscape systems stores transferring energy and material on time scales that can vary from a few days to millennia.

Question 3

What is the definition of kinetic energy?

Answer 3

Kinetic energy is the capacity to do work as a result of motion.

Question 4

What is the definition of potential energy?

Answer 4

Potential energy is the capacity to do work that a body possesses by virtue of its position and that is potentially transformable into another form of energy.

Question 5

What is the definition of thermal energy?

Answer 5

What is thermal energy the capacity to do work as a result of heat.

Question 6

What is the definition of geomorphic?

Answer 6

Geomorphic relates to the form of the landscape and other natural features of the Earth’s surface.

Question 7

What is the definition of an open system?

Answer 7

An open system is a type of system whose boundaries are open to both inputs and outputs of energy.

Question 8

What is the definition of a closed system?

Answer 8

A closed system is a type of system whose boundaries are closed to both inputs and outputs of energy.

Question 9

What is an input?

Answer 9

An input is an addition of energy and/ or materials to a system.

Question 10

What are examples of inputs?

Answer 10

Input examples include: waves, tides, salt spray, sun, air pressure, wind speed and direction, pollution, recreation, settlement, defences. etc

Question 11

What is the definition of an output?

Answer 11

An input is the transfer of energy and/ or materials out of a system.

Question 12

What are examples of outputs?

Answer 12

Outputs examples include: ocean currents, rip tides, sediment transfer, evaporation. etc

Question 13

What is the definition of a store?

Answer 13

Stores are materials contained within a structure.

Question 14

What are examples of a store?

Answer 14

Store examples include: Beaches, sand dunes, spits, bars, cliffs, caves, arches, stacks. etc

Question 15

What is the definition of a throughput?

Answer 15

A throughput is the movement of materials between structures.

Question 16

What are examples of throughputs?

Answer 16

Throughput examples include: longshore drift, weathering, mass movement .etc

Question 17

What is the definition of equilibrium?

Answer 17

Equilibrium is used to describe geomorphic systems that can adjust to changes by reaching a steady state.

Question 18

What is the definition of dynamic equilibirum?

Answer 18

Dynamic equilibrium is a lack of change in a system as inputs and outputs become in balance.

Question 19

What is the definition for negative feedback?

Answer 19

Negative feedback decreases the amount of change by reducing some of the inputs, returning the system stability.

Question 20

What is the definition of sediment cells?

Answer 20

Sediment cells are areas along a coastline and in the nearshore area where the movement of materials is largely self-contained.

Question 21

How many sediment cells are there on the coast of England and Wales?

Answer 21

There are 11 sediment cells on the coast of England and Wales.

Question 22

What is the definition of a coastal landmark?

Answer 22

A coastal landmark is a large physical structure situated on the coast.

Question 23

What separates sediment cells on the coast of England and Wales? Give examples

Answer 23

In England and Wales there is a coastal landmark separating each sediment cell e.g. Land’s End.

Question 24

How would equilibrium exist in a coastal landscape?

Answer 24

In a coastal landscape, equilibrium will be in place when there is an equal mean rate of sand being added and taken from the beach.