Natural Systems

Question 1

What is a system made up of?

Answer 1

Stores
Flows 
Inputs 
Outputs 
Boundaries

Question 2

As an example, what is a drainage basin system’s boundary?

Answer 2

The watershed

Question 3

Definition of input?

Answer 3

When matter/energy is added to the system

Question 4

Definition of output?

Answer 4

When matter/energy leaves the system

Question 5

Definition of stores?

Answer 5

Build up of matter/energy

Question 6

Definition of flows/ transfers.

Answer 6

movement of matter/energy through a system, allowing an input to become an output

Question 7

Definition of boundaries?

Answer 7

The limits of the system

Question 8

What’s an open system?

Answer 8

Both energy and matter CAN enter and leave

Question 9

What is a closed system?

Answer 9

Matter CAN’T enter or leave- it can only cycle between stores

But

Energy CAN enter of leave- can be input or output

Question 10

Why does the amount of matter stay the same in a closed system?

Answer 10

Because there are no inputs or outputs of either matter

Question 11

What is the system in when the inputs and outputs are balanced?

Answer 11

Dynamic Equilibrium

Question 12

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 12

When inputs and outputs are balanced.

Question 13

Explain what a positive feedback system is in water and carbon cycles

Answer 13

Where a change in a system amplifies the effects

Question 14

Give an example of a positive feedback in water and carbon cycles

Answer 14

Temps rise-> sea ice melted-> less ice means less reflection of sun->
Less reflection means more heat is absorbed-> circles back to temps rise

Question 15

Give an example of a negative feedback in water and carbon cycles

Answer 15

Lots of CO2 emitted-> more CO2 In atmosphere-> extra CO2 causes increased plant growth-> plants remove CO2 and store it-> CO2 In atmosphere decreases

Question 16

Explain what a negative feedback system is in water and carbon cycles.

Answer 16

Mechanism that counteracts effects when a change occurs

Question 17

The whole earth is broken down into subsystems. Name the 5

Answer 17

Cryosphere 
Lithosphere 
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere

Question 18

Describe the crypsphere

Answer 18

Portions of earth where water is in a solid state as it’s cold enough to freeze.
Eg- glacial landscapes

Question 19

Describe the lithosphere

Answer 19

Is the outermost part of the earth, including the crust and the upper parts of the mantle.

Question 20

Describe the Biosphere

Answer 20

Part of the earths systems where living things are found- includes ALL- plants, animals, birds, fungi, insects, bacteria etc

Question 21

Describe the Hydrosphere

Answer 21

Includes ALL forms of water on earth.
This may be liquid (rivers), solid (ice in the cryosphere) or gas (water vapour in the atmosphere). It can be salty (saline) or fresh.

Question 22

Describe the atmosphere

Answer 22

The layer of gas between the earths surface and space, held in place by gravity.

Question 23

All subsystems are …………… by the cycles and processes that keep the system running

Answer 23

Interlinked

Question 24

The earth is said to be a cascading system. Define this.

Answer 24

Matter and energy move between subsystems- output of one cycle is the input of the next, then output of this cycle is the input of the cycle and so on……..

Question 25

As a result of how cascading systems work can changes in one subsystem can affect what happens in the others?

Answer 25

Yes