Water And Carbon Cycle Flashcards
Components of a system
Inputs, outputs, transfers and stores
Energy within a system
drives change/movement between components
Offset
- Counteract (something) by having an opposing force or effect.
- Carbon offsetting is where companies invest in green solutions to make up for their carbon footprint
Process
A series of natural or human actions that take place within a system. Natural processes are affected by energy, forces e.g gravity and human intervention
Region
An area of part of a country, often referred to due to its unique physical, geopolitical or demographic characteristics.
(Larger than local, smaller than global)
Model
Idealised representation of reality
System
A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements that function together as a whole.
Open system
A system with inputs and outputs of both energy and matter
Closed system
A system with inputs and outputs of energy
Dynamic Equilibrium
A state of balance where inputs are equal to outputs in a system that is constantly changing. The equilibrium may be upset by events such as burning fossil fuels which then increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Inputs
Additions to a system (energy and precipitation)
Outputs
Removal of energy or matter from a system (evaporation & river discharge)
Stores
An accumulation of sediment (e.g in a lake)
Transfer or flow
Movement of water and carbon between stores. (Groundwater flow & photosynthesis)
Negative feedback
When a change in the system causes other changes that have the opposite effect. This restores balance in a system.
