People & Natural World Interactions

Question 1

Hydrosphere

Answer 1

the water part of the global system

Question 2

Hydrological cycle

Answer 2

the continuous transfer and storage of water in the environment

Question 3

River/stream

Answer 3

the transfer, the temporary store, of water as it drains a catchment area

Question 4

Catchment area/drainage basin

Answer 4

a clearly defined area that a river and it’s network of streams collects it’s water from/drains

Question 5

Tributary

Answer 5

a small river or stream that drains into a large one

Question 6

Watershed

Answer 6

the boundary of a catchment area/drainage system

Question 7

Water table

Answer 7

the surface of the saturated soil and bedrock underground

Question 8

Ground water

Answer 8

the water held below the surface if the land

Question 9

Discharge/runoff

Answer 9

water, transferred by a rivers channel

Question 10

Precipitation

Answer 10

water (e.g. snow, hail, rain) transferred from the atmosphere to the surface

Question 11

Evaporation

Answer 11

Loss of water when it changes from a liquid into a vapour, transferred from surface to atmosphere

Question 12

Evaporation

Answer 12

Loss of water when it changes from a liquid to a vapour, transferred from surface to atmosphere

Question 13

Confluence

Answer 13

The point at where two rivers meet

Question 14

Desertification

Answer 14

When soil becomes dry, leading to soil erosion, and danger of becoming a desert

Question 15

Transpiration

Answer 15

Loss of water by plants, through the stomata, to the atmosphere

Question 16

Evapotranspiration

Answer 16

Combined loss of water by evaporation and transpiration

Question 17

Condensation

Answer 17

When water changes from a gas to a liquid, often forming clouds

Question 18

Surface run off/overland flow

Answer 18

Movement of water over the surface

Question 19

Infiltration

Answer 19

Gradual penetration of water into the land surface

Question 20

Through flow

Answer 20

Movement of water through the soil, usually laterally

Question 21

Groundwater flow

Answer 21

The movement of water below the surface

Question 22

Interception

Answer 22

Interruption of transfer, usually of rain by plants

Question 23

Permeable

Answer 23

Allows water to pass through

Question 24

Impermeable

Answer 24

Doesn’t allow water to pass through it

Question 25

Porous

Answer 25

Able to hold water in its pores, like a sponge

Question 26

Flood

Answer 26

When a river channel does not have sufficient capacity to transfer all the discharge

Question 27

Drought

Answer 27

Unusual dry spells, with rainfall well below average

Question 28

Hydrograph

Answer 28

A graph showing the level of water discharge in a river/stream

Question 29

Lag

Answer 29

The difference in time between the peak of rainfall and the peak of discharge

Question 30

Relief

Answer 30

The shape of the earths surface

Question 31

Landform

Answer 31

A distinctive feature on the land surface, created by natural purposes

Question 32

Erosion

Answer 32

The breaking down of rocks and surfaces by moving agents

Question 33

Deposition

Answer 33

When transported material is deposited somewhere to create a landform

Question 34

Transportation

Answer 34

When matter (eg sediment) is carried by a moving agent (eg rivers)

Question 35

Sediment

Answer 35

Small particles eroded or weathered from a surface

Question 36

Hydraulic action

Answer 36

The breaking up of rock material caused by water compressing air in cracks within rock surfaces, before releasing it explosively. Also known as quarrying.

Question 37

Abrasion

Answer 37

The wearing away of rock surfaces by pieces of rock held in the water. Also known as corrasion.

Question 38

Corrosion

Answer 38

The dissolving in water of soluble rock material, like limestone. Also known as solution

Question 39

Attrition

Answer 39

The wearing down of rock material by fragments rubbing together during transport.

Question 40

Hydraulic action

Answer 40

When water/waves get into cracks in rocks- this increases the air pressure inside the rocks until they break