Topic 1- Water And Carbon Flashcards
What is a system
An assemblage of interrelated parts, most sharing common characteristics
What are common characteristics in a system
Structure lying within a boundary, inputs and outputs processes by components causing change, involve flow of material, can be isolated/closed/open
What are the 4 major characteristics of systems
Inputs&outputs
Flows/transfers
Stores/components
Boundaries
What are stores
Reservoirs hold matter/ energy for a particular amount of time (residence time)
What are components
Individual elements/ parts of a system
What’s an input (include examples)
Matter/ energy from outside boundary to in a system
Precipitation, river discharge
What’s an output (include examples)
Matter/ energy removed from a system to out boundary
Runoff in drainage basin
What are flows/transfers (include examples)
Links between components
Energy/ matter can flow between components
Infiltration, groundwater flow, evaporation in drainage basin
Is the water cycle an open or closed system
Entirety: CLOSED- water not gained/ lost from space
Local: OPEN- e.g. drainage basin
Is Earth an open or closed system
Closed
What are the characteristics of an open system
Energy and matter can come and go
What are the characteristics of a closed system
Energy can come and go, matter can’t
What’s the meaning of dynamic equilibrium
Inputs and outputs are balanced
