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A-level Geography (west) > Key words > Flashcards

Key words Flashcards

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1
Q

A cycle

A

an example of a continuous system e.g. water cycle or carbon cycle.

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2
Q

A system

A

a model which helps to explain relationships within a unit. It consists of a number of components which are linked together.

Is a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process.

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3
Q

A model

A

a way of simplifying or representing a complex reality.

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4
Q

Elements

A

the parts or substances that make up the system

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5
Q

Attributes

A

characteristics of the elements that may be perceived and measured

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6
Q

Relationships

A

associations that occur between elements and attributes

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7
Q

Boundary

A

the edge of a system

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8
Q

inputs

A

elements entering the system

the addition of matter and/or energy into a system

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9
Q

Stores/components

A

elements being stored in the system

A part of the system where energy/mass is stored or transformed

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10
Q

Flows/transfers

A

elements moving around the system

A form of linkage between one store/component and another that involves movement of energy or mass

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11
Q

Outputs

A

elements leaving the system

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12
Q

Dynamic equilibrium

A

there is a balance between both inputs and outputs

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13
Q

Open system

A

when there are both inputs and outputs transfers energy and matter (or mass) across its boundary

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14
Q

Closed system

A

when there are no inputs or outputs matter (or mass) is confined to the system but energy may enter and exit

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15
Q

Positive feedback

A

when the effects of an action are amplified by other knock-on effects

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16
Q

Negative feedback

A

when the effects of an action are nullified by its knock-on effects

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17
Q

Isolated system

A

no interactions beyond its boundary

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18
Q

Cascading system

A

made up of a chain of open systems where the output from one system forms the input into another

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19
Q

Atmosphere

A

Is the layer of gas between the earth’s surface and space, held in place by gravity

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20
Q

Lithosphere

A

Is the outermost part of the earth. It includes the crust and the upper parts of the mantle.

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21
Q

Hydrosphere

A

The hydrosphere includes all of the water on earth. It may be in liquid from, solid form or gas from. It can also be saline or fresh.

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22
Q

Biosphere

A

The biosphere is the part of the earth’s system where living things are found. It includes all living parts of earth plants , animals, birds, fungi, insects, bacteria etc.

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23
Q

Cryosphere

A

Includes all the parts of the earth system where its cold enough for water to freeze eg. Glacial landscapes

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24
Q

Magnitude

A

the strength or amount of something

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25
Q

Precipitation

A

water falling in its many forms such as rain, hail, sleet or snow

26
Q

Evaporation

A

The process by which liquid water changes to a gas. This requires energy, which is provided by the sun and aided by wind

27
Q

Condensation

A

The process by which water vapour changes to liquid water

28
Q

Troposphere

A

the lower part of the atmosphere where all our weather occurs

29
Q

ITCZ

A

Inter-tropical convergence zone - where warm air from the tropics meet at the Equator creating an area of low pressure

30
Q

Dew point

A

the temperature at which water vapour turns into a liquid creating a cloud

31
Q

High pressure

A

when the air is descending and warming therefore no condensation

32
Q

Low pressure

A

when the warm air is rising creating clouds and precipitation

33
Q

Orographic

A

the movement of water vapour over a mountain

34
Q

Prevailing

A

the most common wind direction

35
Q

Rain shadow

A

the side of the mountain that is dry due to the windward side receiving precipitation

36
Q

Ablation

A

when the ice melts into water

37
Q

Accumulation

A

when liquid water freezes into ice

38
Q

Sublimation

A

when a solid (e.g. ice) turns immediately into a gas without melting

39
Q

Deposition

A

when water vapour immediately freezes without turning into a liquid first

40
Q

Calving

A

when part of an ice sheet breaks off, creating an iceberg

41
Q

Ice sheets

A

a mass of glacial ice extending over 50,000 Km2

42
Q

Ice caps

A

thick layers of ice on land that are smaller than 50,000 Km2

43
Q

Glaciers

A

thick masses of ice found in deep valleys or upland hollows

44
Q

Permafrost

A

ground that remains at or below 0c for at least 2 years

45
Q

Sea ice

A

that part of the Arctic and Antarctic that freezes in the winter

46
Q

Latent heat

A

is the amount of heat that is given out or taken in from the surroundings.

47
Q

Water scarcity

A

is when the annual supply of water per person is below 1,000m3

48
Q

Water stress

A

is when the annual supply of water per person is less than 1,700m3

49
Q

Economic scarcity

A

human and financial factors limit water use to less than 25% of river flows

50
Q

Physical scarcity

A

more than 75% of river flows being used

51
Q

Precipitation

A

water falling from the sky as rain, hail, sleet or snow

52
Q

Throughfall

A

rainwater dripping off the tips of leaves

53
Q

Stemflow

A

water flowing down the branches, trunk of a tree

54
Q

Infiltration

A

water absorbing into the ground

55
Q

Evapotranspiration

A

water being evaporated or transpired

56
Q

Overland flow/sheet flow

A

water running off the surface of the ground

57
Q

Throughflow

A

water flowing through the ground

58
Q

Percolation

A

water soaking its way down through the underlying rock

59
Q

Groundwater store and flow

A

water stored under the ground

60
Q

Channel flow

A

the water that is flowing in a river

61
Q

Run off

A

water flowing in channels across the ground

62
Q

Water table

A

this marks the top of the groundwater

A-level Geography (west) (18 decks)

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