Key Words Flashcards
System
a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process
system attribute
the perceived characteristic of a system element.
e.g. number, size, colour, volume and temperature
system boundary
outer edge of system. Zone between one system and another.
system element
the kinds of things or substances composing the system. They may be atoms or molecules, or larger bodies of matter-sand grains, rain drops, plants or cows.
system relationship
the association that exists between the elements and attributes of a system based on cause and effect.
system state
current value of a system’s elements, attributes and/or relationships.
isolated system
a system that has no interactions beyond its boundary layer. Many controlled lab experiments are of this type.
closed system
a system that transfers energy, but not matter, across its boundary to the surrounding environment. Our planet is often viewed as a closed system.
open system
a system that transfer both matter and energy across its boundary to the surrounding environment.
input
addition of matter, energy or information to a system.
output
movement of matter, energy or information out of a system.
store
matter, energy or information is stored.
transfer
when something is moved from one place to another
landform
a natural feature of the earth’s surface
erosion
the gradual destruction of the earth’s surface
transportation
when materials are moved by the force of something else
deposition
when materials are deposited on the earth’s surface
hydrosphere
all the water on the earth’s surface
lithosphere
the crust and upper mantle
atmosphere
the gas that surrounds the earth
cryosphere
frozen water on the earth’s surface
biosphere
the region of the earth occupied by living things
hard engineering
man-made structures used to defend against natural hazards
soft-engineering
using natures existing systems to defend against natural hazards
eustatic change
sea level change
isostatic change
land level change
backshore
lying between the foreshore and coastline. dry under normal conditions bar extreme weather.
backwash
the return of water to the sea after waves break on a beach
beach
a deposit of sand or shingle at the coast
coastal zone
the interface between land and sea.
constructive waves
they deposit sand on the beach. Strong swash and weak backwash.