The water cycle eq1

Question 1

the hydrological cycle

Answer 1

the global hydrological cycle operares as a closed system (inputs, outputs, stores and flows) driven by solar energy and gravitational potential energy

Question 2

closed system

Answer 2

occurs when there is a transfer of energy but not matter between the system and its surroundings (the inputs come from within the system).

Question 3

The global hydrological cycle is a closed system

Answer 3

it is a continuous cycle, over a long period of time, nothing is gained or lost.

Question 4

inputs in the hydrological cycle

Answer 4

the main input is precipitation

Question 5

flows in the hydrological cycle

Answer 5

• interception
• infiltration
• percolation
• throughflow
• groundwater
• surface runoff
• river or channel flow

Question 6

outputs

Answer 6

• evaporation
• transpiration
• discharge

Question 7

interception

Answer 7

the retention of water by plants and soils which is subsequently evaporated or absorbed by the vegetation.

Question 8

infiltration

Answer 8

the process by which water soaks into, or is absorbed by, the soil.

Question 9

percolation

Answer 9

similar to infiltration, but a deeper transfer of water into permeable rocks

Question 10

throughflow

Answer 10

the lateral transfer of water downslope through the soil

Question 11

groundwater flow

Answer 11

the very slow transfer of percolated water through pervious (permeable) or porous rocks.

Question 12

surface runoff

Answer 12

the movement of water that is unconfined by a channel across the surface of the ground.

Question 13

river or channel flow

Answer 13

takes over as soon as the water enters a river or stream; the flow is confined within a channel

Question 14

the water balance

Answer 14

The balance between inputs into a drainage basin and outputs. It is important for understanding the processes operating in a drainage basin and water balances throughout the year.

Question 15

the water balance equation

Answer 15

precipitation=evapotranspiration +streamflow+/- storage

Question 16

solar energy

Answer 16

The global circulation of water is driven by this eg. warmer temperatures leads to more evaporation

Question 17

gravitational pull

Answer 17

On land gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. This keeps water moving around the system and holds water on Earth.

Question 18

water budget

Answer 18

The annual (yearly) balance of fluxes ( flows) and the size of the water stores e.g oceans, atmosphere and biosphere.

Question 19

water stores

Answer 19

A place where water can accumulate. It may be natural, such as a pond, lake, aquifer or river, or artificial, such as a tank, reservoir, channel or pipe. It may be located above or below the surface of the earth.

Question 20

Is water a renewable resource?

Answer 20

yes but with fossil water as an exception

Question 21

fossil water

Answer 21

Water that has been contained in an undisturbed space, usually ground water in an aquifer, for millennia or longer.

Question 22

open system

Answer 22

Receives inputs from and transfers outputs of energy and matter to other systems

Question 23

drainage basin

Answer 23

the area of land that is drained by a river and the smaller rivers and streams that flow into it. It is series of linked processes: inputs, flows and outputs.

Question 24

What physical factors impact the drainage basin?

Answer 24

• Shape
• Relief- shape of land ( highland vs lowland)
• Geology- rock, permeability, porous?
• Vegetation
• Climate
• Land use