Systems in physical geography

Question 1

What is a cascading system?

Answer 1

The transfer of mass and energy along a chain of component subsystems.

Question 2

What is an element in terms of systems?

Answer 2

The key parts of the system.

Question 3

What is an attribute in terms of systems?

Answer 3

The key characteristics of the elements.

Question 4

Give an example of positive feedback in the water cycle.

Answer 4

1. High temperatures keep more water in the air
2. Increased volume of water vapour in the atmosphere
3. Water vapour is a greenhouse gas which traps more heat in the atmosphere.

Question 5

Give an example of positive feedback in the carbon cycle.

Answer 5

1. Increase CO2 in the atmosphere (e.g through respiration)
2. Air temperatures increase
3. Polar ice cover melts, reducing the albedo effect
4. More CO2 is released into the atmosphere from cryosphere stores.

Question 6

Give an example of negative feedback in the water cycle.

Answer 6

1. High air temperatures keeps more water in the atmosphere
2. Increased cloud cover
3. More clouds reflect more sunlight out of the atmosphere
4. Reducing the air temperature, leading to less clouds forming.

Question 6

Give an example of negative feedback in the carbon cycle.

Answer 6

1. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere
2. Air temperatures increase
3. Plants grow at a quicker rate
4. More CO2 is taken in through photosynthesis