4 Mark Physical Geography Questions

Question 1

Outline The Differences Between Open And Closed Systems

Answer 1

• Open systems have inputs and outputs of matter and energy, whereas closed systems don’t
• An example of an open system would be the drainage basin hydrological cycle where the inputs would be precipitation and the outputs would be evapotranspiration. The amount of water in the drainage basin fluctuates
• An example of a closed system would be the global hydrological cycle as there is a finite amount of water on earth, it just moves from store to store. E.G: From the cryosphere to the hydrosphere through different flows

Question 2

Outline Potential Impacts Of Water Abstraction Upon The Water Cycle

Answer 2

Water abstraction is the act of abstracting water from the ground for use. Water abstraction can lead to a lack of water in the ground, this impacts the water cycle as it means more water can be infiltrated into the ground, reducing the likeliness of impermeable grounds due to surplus water supply. This could increase the lag time from rainfall to river. Abstraction of ground water also means less evapotranspiration from ground water which could effect precipitation levels.

Question 3

What Is Meant a) Water Balance and b) Soil Moisture Budget (8Marks)

Answer 3

Soil moisture budget is how much moisture is in the soil. It changes depending on the time of year, in winter there is a surplus of moisture (too much) due to rain. In summer there is a deficit (not enough) due to high evapotranspiration and low precipitation. The other two states of soil moisture are recharge (from deficit to surplus) and utilisation (from surplus to deficit).

The water balance is the balance of all the inputs, outputs, flows and stores of the water cycle. A positive water balance is when there is more precipitation than evapotranspiration. A negative water balance is when there is less precipitation than evapotranspiration. The water balance is worked out by using the equation P=E+Q+S or Precipitation = Evapotranspiration + Discharge + Change of Stores.

Question 4

Outline The Role Of Living Organisms In The Carbon Cycle

Answer 4

The photosynthesis of plants is vital to the carbon cycle. Plants take in CO2 and water and convert it to oxygen and glucose. They store the carbon the absorbed and reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Humans and animals respire, which is the conversion of oxygen to carbon dioxide within the cell. They exhale the carbon and add to the volume of carbon in the atmosphere.

Question 5

Outline The Process Of Photosynthesis In The Carbon Cycle

Answer 5

• CO2 is taken in from the atmosphere by plants
• This reacts with chlorophyll to create carbohydrates such as glucose. The glucose is used in processes related to plant growth or stored as starch
• Oxygen is released as =a by-product of photosynthesis. This process, in part, maintains the balance between carbon and oxygen in the atmosphere
• Some may consider the link between plant growth taking carbon out of the atmosphere
• Not just oxygen that is released