Geography Water and Carbon Cycles Keywords

Question 1

Open System

Answer 1

A system that has both inputs and outputs of energy or other material and which involves a flow or exchange of material

Question 2

Closed System

Answer 2

A system that has no inputs or outputs but which cycles energy or resources around a close loop

Question 3

Drainage Basin (catchment area)

Answer 3

The area of land that provides water to a river system.

Question 4

Hydrology

Answer 4

The study of water on the surface of the Earth.

Question 5

Condensation

Answer 5

A change in state from water vapour to liquid as a result of cooling.

Question 6

Evaporation

Answer 6

A change in state from liquid water to water vapour, as a result of heating.

Question 7

Watershed

Answer 7

The edge of a drainage basin

Question 8

Water budget

Answer 8

The overall balance of inputs and outputs in a drainage basin over time.

Question 9

Saturated

Answer 9

All the available spaces between the soil particles are filled with water.

Question 10

Water Table

Answer 10

The level of the top of the saturated soil beneath the ground.

Question 11

Precipitation

Answer 11

The movement of water from the atmosphere to the ground surface. It can take several forms, including rain, snow, sleet, hail, and fog

Question 12

Response

Answer 12

The way that a river responds following the input of precipitation : some rivers rise quickly and are said to be ‘flashy’ ; others rise and fall morr slowly

Question 13

transpiration

Answer 13

The process by which plants lose water through stomata (pores) in their leaves into the atmosphere.

Question 14

Infiltration capacity

Answer 14

The rate at which water is able to pass through a soil (measured in mm/ hr) - this will be a high for sandy soil; lower for a clay soil.

Question 15

Impermeable

Answer 15

A surface that does not allow water to pass through it

Question 16

Groundwater flow

Answer 16

Water moving through the soil

Question 17

Throughflow (or interflow)

Answer 17

Water moving through the rocks beneath the soil at a very slow rate.

Question 18

Permeable

Answer 18

A surface that allows water to pass through it.

Question 19

Overland flow (surface runoff)

Answer 19

Water flowing over the ground surface; this may be a result of impermeable surfaces, including frozen ground or infiltration excess during heavy rainfall

Question 20

Channel flow

Answer 20

Water is held in the channel as it moves through the drainage basin. This will also act as temporary storage

Question 21

Evapotranspiration

Answer 21

The loss of water by evaporation and transpiration combined - a term sometimes used in equations representing water balance