water cycles

Question 1

feedback

Answer 1

when one element of a system changes because of an outside influence. this upsets the dynamic equilibrium/state of balance, and affects other components in the system.

Question 2

positive feedback

Answer 2

where a change causes a further/snowball effect, continuing/accelerating the original change.

Question 3

positive feedback within the water cycle (1)

Answer 3

higher temps

sea and land ice melts and shrinks, exposing more land and ocean

albedo is reduced so ocean waters absorb more solar radiation than highly reflective sea ice as does land ice

temps increase further leading to more melting

Question 4

positive feedback within the water cycle (2)

Answer 4

warming leads to a higher rate of evaporation from the oceans

this leads to enhanced warming due to water vapour being a greenhouse gas

this leads to more warming

Question 5

negative feedback

Answer 5

when a system acts by lessening the effect of the original change and ultimately reversing it.

Question 6

negative feedback in the water cycle (1)

Answer 6

surface temps increase slightly

increase evaporation from oceans

more low clouds in the atmosphere

increases the earths albedo

surface temps decrease slightly

decrease in evaporation from oceans

fewer low clouds in the atmosphere

decrease in the earths albedo

Question 7

negative feedback in the carbon cycle

Answer 7

increase in fossil fuel usage

increase in atmospheric CO2

more plant growth

reduces atmospheric CO2

Question 8

drainage basins as open systems: inputs and outputs

Answer 8

precipitation

evapotranspiration, surface runoff

Question 9

drainage basins as open systems: stores and transfers

Answer 9

vegetation, soil, rocks

interception, soil water, groundwater, channel storage, stem flow, infiltration, overland flow, channel flow

Question 10

the 5 subsystems on earth

Answer 10

atmosphere - air
lithosphere - geology
hydrosphere - water
cryosphere - ice
biosphere - organic life