Water and Carbon cycle

Question 1

negative feedback definition

Answer 1

(good) a cyclical sequence of events that damps down or neutralise the effects of a system, regulating stability of a state of dynamic equilibrium

Question 2

positive feedback definition

Answer 2

(bad) a cyclical sequence of events that amplifies or increases change. Positive feedback loops exagerate the output of a system driving it in one direction and promoting environmental instability

Question 3

dynamic equilibrium definition

Answer 3

represents a state of constantly changing system

Question 4

flows/transfers definition

Answer 4

the links/relationships between components (eg infiltration/groundflow)

Question 5

output definiton

Answer 5

material or energy moving from the system to the outside (eg evaporation)

Question 6

input definition

Answer 6

material or energy moving into the system from the outside (eg precipitation)

Question 7

stores/components definition

Answer 7

the individual elemenr or parts of a system (eg trees, puddles etc)

Question 8

isolated system definition

Answer 8

no input or output of energy or matter (eg the universe)

Question 9

system theory defintion

Answer 9

systems help us to analyse the relationship between components of the unit being considered

Question 10

system defintion

Answer 10

simple diagram to show different components of a concept and their relationships and links between them

Question 11

lithosphere definition

Answer 11

the crust and upper most solid part of the mantle (rock)

Question 12

hydrosphere defintion

Answer 12

all the earths water in the ground and on the surface

Question 13

cryosphere defintion

Answer 13

frozen water in the earths system

Question 14

atmosphere defintion

Answer 14

the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet

Question 15

biosphere defintion

Answer 15

the reguions of the surface and the atmosphere of the earth occupied by the living organisms

Question 16

sublimation definition

Answer 16

when a material changes directly from a solid to a gas

Question 17

desublimation defintion

Answer 17

the opposite of sublimation- when a material changes directly froma gas to a solid

Question 18

fog drip defintion

Answer 18

occurs during fog when water forms on plants and drips back down to the earths surface

Question 19

seepage definition

Answer 19

water enters soil and retreats down stream

Question 20

aquifier definition

Answer 20

body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater

Question 21

precipitation definition

Answer 21

transfer of water from the atmosphere to the ground. It can take the form of rain, snow, hail, dew etc

Question 22

evaporation definition

Answer 22

transfer of water from liquid state to gaseous state (water vapour). The vast majority occurs from the oceans to the atmosphere

Question 23

condensation definition

Answer 23

transfer of water from gaseous state to a liquid state (eg formation of clouds)

Question 24

sublimation definition

Answer 24

transfer from a solid state (ice) to a gaseous ststae (water vapour) and vice versa

Question 25

interception definition

Answer 25

water intercepted and stored on leaves of plants

Question 26

surface run off (also known as overland flow) definition

Answer 26

transfer of water over the lands surface

Question 27

infilltration definition

Answer 27

transfer of water from the ground surface into the soil where it may then percolate into underlying rock

Question 28

through flow defintion

Answer 28

water flowing through soil towards a river channel

Question 29

percolation definition

Answer 29

water soaking into rocks

Question 30

groundwater flow definition

Answer 30

transfer of water very slowly through rocks