Topic 2

Question 1

The water cycle

Answer 1

Is the cycling of water through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
Driven by solar energy

Question 2

transpiration

Answer 2

Water is absorbed by plants from the soil through their roots
The water travels up the stem of the plants to the leaves
The water is released into the atmosphere through stomata

Question 3

Condensation

Answer 3

Cooling of water vapour(gas) in atmosphere
Water vapour condenses into water droplets(liquid) forming clouds.

Question 4

Precipiation

Answer 4

Water drops formed by condensation fall to earth
Can fall as rain, snow or hail

Question 5

Surface run off

Answer 5

Refers to the movement of water over the land surface
Can transport sediment, nutrients and pollutants to other areas.

Question 6

Percolation

Answer 6

The movement of water through soil and rock

Question 7

Infiltration

Answer 7

Precipitation that falls onto land can soak into the soil, refilling groundwater sources

Question 8

Ground water flow

Answer 8

Water that infiltrates into the soil becomes groundwater, which slowly moves through underground aquifers

Question 9

Aquifer

Question 10

Evaporation

Answer 10

The sun heats bodies of water such as oceans lakes and rivers
Causes water to change from liquid to water vapour and rise into the atmosphere

Question 11

Freezing

Answer 11

Freezing converts water from the liquid state to the solid state.
Acts as water storage
Water is removes from cycle until melted

Question 12

Melting

Answer 12

Converts ice and snow back into liquid water
After melting snow and ice refills rivers lakes and oceans

Question 13

Carbon oxygen cycle

Answer 13

The cycle that transfers carbon through the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere

Question 14

Volcanic eruptions

Answer 14

Release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Question 15

Cellular respiration

Answer 15

Animals eat the plants and take in 02 to power cellular respiration and then release CO2 into the atmosphere.
Works with photosynthesis to act as carbon transfer between organisms.

Question 16

Photosynthesis

Answer 16

Plant cells absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide and water and convert them into oxygen, water and glucose(energy).
Works with cellular respiration to act as carbon transfer between organisms.

Question 16

Carbon sequestration

Answer 16

On land, plants take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis and store within their tissues (cells).
In the ocean, phytoplankton and other marine organisms take in carbon through photosynthesis.
Oceans also dissolve carbon dioxide.
C02 combines with the water and forms calcium formation of calcium carbonate shells.

Question 17

Decomposition

Answer 17

When organisms die, their organic matter becomes available for decomposition by decomposers.
Decomposers break down complex organic molecules (like glucose) int simpler compounds (such as CO2)

Question 18

Fossilisation and unavailable carbon

Answer 18

Involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural.
Removes carbon from the cycle as it is transformed into fossil fuels.
Once fossil fuels are formed, they remain underground until extracted.

Question 19

Limestone and weathering

Answer 19

Limestone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Calcium carbonate reacts with acids found in rainwater and soil.
Produces CO2 which is released into the atmosphere.

Question 19

Combustion of fossil fuels

Answer 19

When burned, fossil fuels release large amounts of caron dioxide into the atmosphere.
Fossil fuels are burned for energy production, transportation, industrial processes, and heating.
Not part of natural carbon cycle (human impact)

Question 20

Deforestation and fires