Topic 1 - Global Systems Flashcards
Solar energy
Light and heat from the sun that is harnessed. by us
Earth’s energy budget
Shows how energy flows into and away from earth
Visible light
All visible colours in the rainbow
Infrared Light
Wavelengths that are longer than red light
Ultraviolet Radiation
Wavelengths that are shorter than violet light
Albedo Effect
Ability of a surface to reflect sunlight
Greenhouse Effect
Gases in the atmosphere create like a blanket around the earth to trap heat
The Water Cycle
The cycling of water through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
Transpiration
When water is absorbed by the plants from the soil through roots
Condensation
When water vapour (gas) is cooled in the atmosphere
Precipitation
When the water droplets formed during condensation fall to earth
Surface Run Off
When the water moves over the surface of land
Infiltration
When precipitation that falls onto the land soaks into the soul
Ground Water Flow
Water which infiltrates into the soil
Aquifer
Underground body of water
Evaporation
When the sun heats bodies of water to turn into water vapor (gas)
Freezing
Converts water in a liquid state into a solid state
Melting
Converts ice and snow back into water, the liquid state
Sublimation
Changes a solid (ice) straight into a gas (water vapor)
Deposition
Changes a gas (water vapor) directly into a solid (ice)
Percolation
The movement of water through soil and rock
Carbon cycle
The cycle of carbon through our atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.
Volcanic Eruptions
Releases a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Carbon Sequestration
Process of storing carbon
Cellular Respiration
Animals eat plants taking in oxygen to power cellular respiration, and then release it as carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis
Plants absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water and convert them into oxygen, and glucose.
Decomposition
When organisms die and their organic matter becomes available for decomposers to breakdown.
Fossiliation
Involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas
Unavailable Carbon
Combustion of Fossil Fuels
When burned, fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are burned for energy production, transpiration, industrial processes, and heating.
Limestone Weathering
Calcium carbonate reacts with weak acids found in rainwater and soil, releasing carbon dioxide.
Deforestation and Fires
When trees and vegetation are cut down, burned, or left to decay, as they are carbon sinks the carbon stored is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle transforms and circulates nitrogen in various forms through Earth’s spheres.
Atmospheric Nitrogen Fixation
Lightning strikes into the atmosphere, creating enough energy in the atmosphere and splits nitrogen gas into nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Nitric Acid
Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide disolve into water to form this, creating rain
Assimilation
Plants and microorganisms take up ammonium and nitrate ions from the soil
Consumption
Animals take in nitrogen by consuming plants, or other animals that have nitrogen
Ammonification
Decomposers break down the big nitrogen compounds in dead organisms or organic matter into ammonia or ammonium ions
Volcanic Eruptions
Releases large amounts of nitrogen gas into the atmosphere in the smoke
Denitrification
Converts nitrate and nitrite ions into nitrogen gas. Returned to the atmosphere where it can be accessed by nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Nitrogen Fixation by Bacteria
When nitrogen gas released back into the atmosphere is taken in by nitrogen fixing bacteria found in the soil.
Nitrification
