W

Question 0

Walker cell

Answer 0

A convectional cell in the tropical South Pacific which generally moves air in an east-west direction and is associated with el Nino.

Question 1

Wadi

Answer 1

Steep-sided valley or ravine in desert and semi-arid areas.

Usually only contain streams during flash-floods associated with heavy storm events.

Question 2

Warm front

Answer 2

The front edge of a body of warm air where it meets and rises above a body of colder air.

Question 3

Waste

Answer 3

The unwanted by-products of human activity.
Create issues for disposal as much waste presents health dangers to people and other organisms, as well as problems of using up space.

Question 4

Water balance

Answer 4

In any natural system, inputs of water must equal outputs plus or minus changes in storage since water cannot be created or destroyed.

Question 5

Water cycle

Answer 5

See hydrological cycle.

Question 6

Waterfall

Answer 6

A sudden vertical or near vertical fall of water where a river course is interrupted by a drop away in the land over which it is flowing.

Question 7

Waterlogged

Answer 7

See saturated.

Question 8

Water management

Answer 8

The attempt to provide the right quality of water for a variety of uses in the places where it is required.
The most pressing is the need to provide fresh water as supplies are limited and not necessarily in sufficient quantities for growing centres of population.

Question 9

Watershed

Answer 9

The line where drainage basins meet and which determines to which basin precipitation will go.

Question 10

Water table

Answer 10

The upper boundary of the saturated portion of a soil or rock.

Question 11

Wave

Answer 11

A movement of energy.
In the oceans, waves are created by the frictional drag of wind on the surface of the water, or by undersea disturbances.
At sea, they have little effect, but closer to coasts they develop into a horizontal movement of water which impact on the form of the coastline.

Question 12

Wave-cut notch

Answer 12

The undercut portion of a cliff where the base has been eroded by wave action.

Question 13

Wave-cut platform

Answer 13

At a coast, where wave action erodes into a cliff, causing it to collapse and retreat, a rock platform is left behind between the low and high water marks.

Question 14

Wave-pounding

Answer 14

The breakdown of rock through the sheer impact force of waves.
Large storm waves can exert forces of up to 30 tonnes per m².

Question 15

Weather

Answer 15

The day-to-day state of the atmosphere.

Question 16

Weathering

Answer 16

Breakdown of rock in situ by physical and chemical processes due to the presence of water, plants and animals.
Rates vary according to additional controls of temperature, rock type and time. (see physical weathering and chemical weathering).

Question 17

Weber, Alfred

Answer 17

Developed a model to explain the location of industry according to identification of the least-cost location.
Full explanation:
http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/snyderd/APHG/Unit%207/weber.htm

Question 18

Well

Answer 18

A hole dug or drilled into the ground to allow access to groundwater.

Question 19

Wetland

Answer 19

An area of land that is permanently saturated up to or very near to the surface.

Question 20

Wetted perimeter

Answer 20

That portion of a river bed and sides which is in contact with the water.

Question 21

White goods

Answer 21

Domestic appliances.

Question 22

Wholesale

Answer 22

The buying of goods in bulk from manufacturers or suppliers, either to be sold on in bulk or to reduce unit costs for retail.

Question 23

Wilderness

Answer 23

Areas of land that have never experienced any meaningful human activity.

Question 24

Wilting point

Answer 24

The point at which water losses due to transpiration are greater than gains through the roots.
Photosynthesis will begin to slow.

Question 25

Wind

Answer 25

The horizontal movement of air created by differing pressures of adjacent air masses.
Air moves from high to low pressure areas.

Question 26

Wind deposition

Answer 26

The return of wind-borne particles to the surface.

Question 27

Wind erosion

Answer 27

The removal of particles from the surface by wind, and the degrading processes caused when these particles are thrown against rock.

Question 28

Wind power

Answer 28

The generation of electricity by turbines which are turned by wind.

Question 29

Wind transport

Answer 29

Smaller rock particles may be carried by the wind, moved by saltation, or rolled along the surface.

Question 30

Windward

Answer 30

The side of an island or ship against which the wind is blowing.

Question 31

World Bank

Answer 31

http://www.worldbank.org/

Question 32

World Health Organisation (WHO)

Answer 32

An office of the UN which overseas international efforts to improve general health conditions and to address international threats such as pandemics. http://www.who.int/en/

Question 33

World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Answer 33

http://www.wto.org/