Factors driving the change in magnitude of store over time and space— Evaporation

Question 1

Is the global hydrological cycle (water cycle) closed or open system?

Answer 1

Closed system — there are no inputs or out outputs of water

Question 2

Define Evaporation

Answer 2

. Occurs when liquid water changes state into gas, becoming water vapour — it gains energy, normally from solar radiation

. Evaporation increases amount of water in atmosphere

Question 3

Factors that affect size / rate of evaporation

Answer 3

. amount of solar energy — higher temperatures means more evaporation

. availability of water (e.g. more evaporation in pond than field due to surface area)

. temperature of air; warmer air can hold more water vapour than cold air. If air is warmed; it holds more water as humidity drops, meaning faster rate of evaporation.

. humidity of air — the closer the air is to saturation point, the slower the rate of evaporation. Higher humidity means the less drier the air, which means more water vapour already in the air (more saturated air), which means a slower rate of evaporation.

Question 4

Define humidity

Answer 4

. Concentration of water vapour in the air

. A measure of how much water vapour there is in the air in other words

Question 5

How does evaporation vary with regards to time and space?

Answer 5

Location — There is more evaporation in the ocean than on land due to more water. There is more evaporation in hotter areas. Evaporation higher in dry climates. Evaporation higher in windy climates, as the windy carries away water vapour, drying the air, increasing rate of evaporation

Seasonally — Higher evaporation in summer due to more solar radiation, with larger supplies of warm and dry air