WATER AND CARBON CYCLE - Natural Systems

Question 1

What is a system?

Answer 1

An assemblage of interrelated parts that work together by way of some driving force. A set of steps that occur to make something happen.

Question 2

Elements

Answer 2

Things that make up the system.

Question 3

Flow/transfer

Answer 3

A link between one store or component and another, along which something moves.

Question 4

System Boundary

Answer 4

The edge of the system; the interface (or line) between one system and another.

Question 5

Relationships

Answer 5

Descriptions of how the various elements work together to carry out some sort of process.

Question 6

Store/component

Answer 6

A part of the system where something is held for a period of time.

Question 7

Attributes

Answer 7

The characteristics of the elements (e.g. hot/cold).

Question 8

Input

Answer 8

A point where something is added to the system.

Question 9

Output

Answer 9

A point where something is removed from the system.

Question 10

Types of systems

Answer 10

Closed, open and isolated.

Question 11

Open system and example

Answer 11

A system that transfers both matter and energy across its boundary to the surrounding environment.
E.g. A drainage basin - energy from sun enters and leaves system. Water is input as precipitation, and output as river discharge into the sea.

Question 12

Closed system and example

Answer 12

A system that transfers energy, but no matter, across its boundary to the surrounding environment.
E.g. The carbon cycle is a closed system - energy is input (from sun by photosynthesis) and output (by respiration), but the amount of carbon on earth stays the same as no inputs and outputs of matter.

Question 13

Isolated system and example

Answer 13

A system that has no interactions beyond its boundary layer.

E.g. The whole universe

Question 14

System in equilibrium

Answer 14

When the inputs and outputs of a system are balanced. Flows and processes occur but no overall changes to system.

Question 15

System in dynamic equilibrium

Answer 15

Lots of small variations in inputs and outputs of a system. Variation quite small so inputs and outputs remain about balanced on average.

Question 16

What do large, long term changes to balance of inputs and outputs of a system cause?

Answer 16

The system to change and establish a new dynamic equilibrium.

Question 17

What can changes in a system trigger?

Answer 17

Positive or negative feedback.

Question 18

Positive feedback

Answer 18

Occurs where effects of an action are amplified by changes to the inputs/ outputs / processes. System responds by increasing effects of change, moving system even further from its previous state.

Question 19

Negative feedback

Answer 19

Occurs where effects of an action are nullified by changes to the inputs/ outputs/ processes. Means system responds by decreasing the effects of the change, keeping system closer to its previous state.

Question 20

Example of positive feedback

Answer 20

Global temperature rise —> Ice covering cold parts of earth melts due to higher temperatures —> Less ice cover means less of the sun’s energy is reflected —> Means more of the Sun’s energy is absorbed by the earth —> GLOBAL TEMPERATURE RISE

Question 21

Example of negative feedback

Answer 21

Large amounts of CO2 emitted —> CO2 in atmosphere increases —> Extra CO2 causes plant growth to increase —> Plants remove and store more CO2 from atmosphere —> Amounts of CO2 in atmosphere reduces

Question 22

What type of system is the Earth

Answer 22

Closed system

Energy input from sun and output to space but no mater input or output.

Question 23

What are the five subsystems that make up Earth?

Answer 23

Cryosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere

Question 24

Cryosphere

Answer 24

Includes all the parts of the Earth system where it’s cold enough for water to freeze (ice).

Question 25

Lithosphere

Answer 25

The outermost part of the Earth. Includes the crust and the upper parts of the mantle. Geology.

Question 26

Biosphere

Answer 26

The parts of Earth’s system where living things are found. Includes all the living parts of Earth - plants, animals, birds, fungi, insects, bacteria etc. Organic Life.

Question 27

Hydrosphere

Answer 27

Includes all the water on Earth. May be liquid form (e.g. lakes and rivers), solid form (ice stored in the cryosphere) or gas form (water vapour stored in the atmosphere). Can be saline (salty) or fresh. Water.

Question 28

Atmosphere

Answer 28

The layer of gas between the Earth’s surface and space. Held in place by gravity. Air.

Question 29

All the subsystems of Earth are…

Answer 29

Interlinked by the cycles and processes that keep the Earth system as a whole running as normal (e.g. the carbon and water cycles).

Question 30

What moves between the subsystems?

Answer 30

Matter and energy. The output of one is input of next.

Question 31

What is the Earth system with the interlocking subsystems refered to as?

Answer 31

A cascading system.

Question 32

What do changes in one subsystem do? What do the interlocking relationships have a profound effect on?

Answer 32

Affect what happens in other subsystem. On the Earth’s climate.