lesson 2-summary of earths systems

Question 1

what is the lithosphere?

Answer 1

-crust and portion of the inner mantle
-two types: oceanic + continental

Question 2

what is the hydrosphere?

Answer 2

-combined mass of water on, under and above the surface of a planet

Question 3

what is sublimation?

Answer 3

evaporation from a solid straight to a gas-skips liquid stage

Question 4

what is transpiration?

Answer 4

expiration of water through the stomata of a plant

Question 5

what is positive feedback?
+example

Answer 5

knock-on effects in natural systems which accelerate and amplify any changes that have already started to occur
-polar ice reflects the suns light, as this ice begins to melt, less light is reflected, instead it is absorbed into the oceans and land, raising overall temperature and fueling further melting

Question 6

what is negative feedback?
+example

Answer 6

decreases the amount of change by reducing some of the inputs, returning the system to stability.
-increase in temperature increases the amount of cloud cover as water evaporates, this cover reduces incoming solar radiation, cooling earth

Question 7

what is a closed system?
+example

Answer 7

a natural physical system that does not allow anything to come in or out
-earth is closed

Question 8

what is an open system?

Answer 8

a system that has external interactions

Question 9

what is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 9

ack of change in a system as inputs and outputs remain in balance
-water cycle (output=input of water)

Question 10

what is a flow (example)

Answer 10

-river

Question 11

how much of all fresh water is in the Amazon river?

Answer 11

40%

Question 12

what country has no rivers?

Answer 12

Saudi Arabia
-relies on desalination
-expensive but have oil money