Water & Carbon Cycle Flashcards
what is a system
z set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process
what is a store/component
a part if the system where energy/mass is stored or transformed
what is a flow/transfer
a form of linkage between one store/component and amount that involves movement if energy or mass
what is input
the addition and matter and/or energy into a system
what is a open system
matter and energy can be transferred from the system into the surrounding environment e.g drainage basin
what is a closed system
energy is transferred in and out of the system. all amtter is enclosed e.g. global water, sediment cells
what is a dynamic equilibrium
the balanced state of a system. when opposing forces, or inputs and outputs are equal
what is positive feedback
occurs when the effects of an action are amplified by changes to the input/output/processes
what is negative feedback
ocours where the effects of an action are modified by changes to the inputs/outputs/processes
what determines which state water is in
temperature
what actually changes to alter the sate
the bind change in particular the bonds either break or form
what is sublimation
transition of a substance directly from solid to gas
what is evaporation
bonds are given more en energy go from liquid to gas
what is condensation
energy is taken out from the molecules go from gas to liquid
what is melting
an input of energy is the form of heat breaking bonds, go from solid to liquid
what is freezing
binds form as energy is taken away and go from liquid to gas
what is latent heat
-as water molecules become heated by the sun they become agitated (they jiggle around) and they begin to try to break the bonds between them
-however there is not enough heat in the sun ray to do this
-the water molecules absorb energy from their surroundings to give them the final energy that is required to break the bonds between them and this energy which ‘subsidises’ it is called latent heat
what is the process of condensation
-when condensation (water vapour becomes liquid water) ocours the opposite happens
-latent heat is released by the water molecules as they slow down and join together
-meaning evaporation could be thought of as a cooling process (removing heat from the surroundings)
-meaning condensation could be thought of as a warming process (adding heat to the surroundings)
the hydrosphere
-water is the only input and output of the hydrosphere system
-the hydrosphere is ion constant motion and the exchange if water between the hydrosphere and cryosphere is the basis of the hydrological cycle
-water collects in clouds, then falls to earth in the form of rain or snow this is the input
-this water collects in rivers, lakes and oceans this is the store then it evaporates into the atmosphere to start the cycle all over sagain this is the output
what are the impacts on human life of the hydrosphere
-eutrophication caused by the release of fertilisers and sewage into water storage areas has caused aquatic environments to be artificially enriched with nutrients
-the excessive agal blooms can result on harmful hypoxic conditions in the water
-acid rain has resulted in the acidification of components of the hydrosphere
-humans change the natural flow of water in the hydrosphere by diverting and damming rivers it harms the surrounding ecosystems that rely on the water source
what is the impact on human life from the atmosphere
-the atmosphere contains the oxygen we need to live and protect us from harmful ultraviolet solar radiation
-it creates the pressure that liquid water couldnt exist on our planets surface
-warms our planet and keeps temperature habitable for living on earth
-keeps the planet warm through insulation prevents extremes between day and night temperatures
what are the key processes of the atmosphere
-aerosols and climate
-clouds and convection
-mineral dust cycle
-radiative forcings
what are the inputs of the lithosphere
- the rock cycle the lithosphere snd geology are a very interconnected system. input include large rocks that undergo processes that allow them to change to different type of rocks
-sediment is the inout into the rick cycle. tbhis is weathered off things which create small particles of sediment to then be processed
what are the outputs of the lithosphere
-igneous rock: forms from magma near the surface for example lava
-sedimentary rock: forms from weathered material being compacted by overlying sediments
-metamorphic rock: forms when sedimentary rocks are subject to heat, pressure, time or chemically active fluids