Physical Geography

Question 1

Give some general examples of inputs.

Answer 1

Precipitation, leaf fall during the autumn and seeds carried by the wind and birds.

Question 2

Give some general examples of stores.

Answer 2

Water, soil and plants.

Question 3

Give some general examples of outputs.

Answer 3

Water soaking through soil and rocks, evaporation and seed dispersal.

Question 4

Give some general examples of flows/transfers.

Answer 4

Photosynthesis, infiltration and transpiration.

Question 5

Give an example of an input of the drainage basin.

Answer 5

Precipitation.

Question 6

Give an example of an output in the drainage basin.

Answer 6

Runoff.

Question 7

Give an example of energy in the drainage basin.

Answer 7

Latent heat associated with changes in the state of water.

Question 8

Give an example of stores in the drainage basin.

Answer 8

Trees, puddles and soil.

Question 9

Give an example of flows in the drainage basin.

Answer 9

Infiltration, groundwater flow and evaporation.

Question 10

Define a positive feedback loop.

Answer 10

A cyclical sequence of events that amplifies change. They exacerbate the outputs of the system driving it in one direction.

Question 11

Define a negative feedback loop.

Answer 11

A cyclical sequence of events that nullifies the effects of a system promoting stability and a state of dynamic equilibrium.

Question 12

Give an example of a positive feedback loop in the carbon cycle.

Answer 12

Increased temperatures due to climate changes causing the melt of permafrost. This traps greenhouse are released enhancing the greenhouse effect raising temperatures further.

Question 13

Give an example of a negative feedback loop in the carbon cycle.

Answer 13

Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to increased temperatures promoting plant growth and rates of photosynthesis. This removes more CO2 from the air counteracting the rise in temperature.

Question 14

Give an example of a positive feedback loop in the water cycle.

Answer 14

Because of climate change, higher temperatures means atmosphere can hold water vapour. More cloud and precipitation. Water vapour is a GHG - in turn trapping solar radiation.

Question 15

Give an example of a negative feedback loop in the water cycle.

Answer 15

Increased cloud cover means more reflection of incoming solar radiation by clouds back into the atmosphere. Works to counter change.

Question 16

Give an example of a positive feedback loop in the drainage basin.

Answer 16

Rising sea levels (thermal expansion and melting freshwater ice) can destabilise ice shelves increasing the rate of calving(when chunks of ice break off at the terminus, or end, of a glacier). This leads to an increase in melting, causing sea levels to rise further.

Question 17

Give an example of a negative feedback loop in the drainage basin.

Answer 17

Increased surface temperatures lead to an increase in evaporation from the oceans. This leads to more cloud cover. Clouds reflect radiation from the sun, resulting in a slight cooling of surfaces.

Question 18

What % of the earth’s water is saline water?

Answer 18

97.5%

Question 19

What % of the earths water is freshwater?

Answer 19

2.5%

Question 20

What % of the earths water is surface water/other freshwater?

Answer 20

1.2%

Question 21

What % of the earths water is snow and ice?

Answer 21

68.7%

Question 22

What % of the earths water is groundwater?

Answer 22

30.1%

Question 23

What are the major systems in the water cycle?

Answer 23

Lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the atmosphere.