Key terms

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 systems

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Drainage basin (catchment area)

Answer 3

The area of land that provides water to a river system

Question 4

Hydorolgy

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 water 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

Response

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Transpiration

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Infiltration capacity

Answer 13

The rate at which water is able to pass through soil

Question 14

Impermeable

Answer 14

A surface that does not allow water to pass through it

Question 15

Groundwater flow

Answer 15

Water moving through the soil

Question 16

Throughflow (or interflow)

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Permeable

Answer 17

Surface that allows water to pass through it

Question 18

Overland flow (surface runoff)

Answer 18

Water flowing over the ground surface

Question 19

Channel flow

Answer 19

Water held in the channel as it moves through the drainage basin

Question 20

Evapotranspiration

Answer 20

The loss of water by evaporation and transpiration combined

Question 21

Runoff

Answer 21

Water and sediment being moved down the river channel and out of catchment area

Question 22

Hydrograph

Answer 22

A graph of the water level or base flow in a river over a period of time, such as a year

Question 23

Base flow

Answer 23

The normal day-to-day flow of a river

Question 24

Discharge

Answer 24

Water-flowing through a river channel at any given point and is measured in cubic meters