Y12 MB - Water Cycle (Complete) Flashcards
What is the definition of a system?
A set of inter-related components which work together towards a process
What are systems composed of?
Inputs, outputs, stores, flows / transfers and boundaries
What is an input?
When matter or energy is added to a system
What is an output?
When matter or energy leaves a system
What is a store?
Where matter or energy builds up in a system
What is a flow / transfer?
Where matter or energy moves in a system
What is a boundary?
The limit to a system (e.g a watershed)
What are the three types of system?
Open, closed and isolated
What is an open system?
Systems where matter and energy can change and move in and out
What is a closed system?
Systems where energy can change and move in and out but matter can only cycle through stores and stays the same
Give an example of an open system
Carbon - Woodland
Water - Drainage basin
Give an example of a closed system
Carbon - Global carbon cycle
Water - Global water cycle
What is dynamic equilibrium?
When there is a balance between inputs and outputs of a system
What generally determines whether a system is open or closed?
Scale (e.g the global water cycle is a closed system whereas a drainage basin is closed)
What happens to a natural system if there is a change?
The system works to regain equilibrium through natural conditions
What is feedback?
The knock-on effect of something happening (e.g a change in the balance of inputs and outputs of a system)
What is positive feedback?
Where the knock-on effects of a change are amplified
What is negative feedback?
Where the knock-on effects of a change are nullified
What kind of system can the earth be classed as?
A closed system
What are the five subsystems of the Earth?
Lithosphere
Cryosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
What is the lithosphere?
The outermost layer of the earth (the crust and upper mantel)
What is the biosphere?
The biological component of the earth (all living things)
What is the atmosphere?
The layer of gas between the Earth’s surface and space
What is the hydrosphere?
All of the water on earth, saline and fresh (e.g rivers + lakes, water vapour and solid water)
What is the cryosphere?
The part of the Earth where water is frozen
What is precipitation?
All forms of moisture which reach the Earth’s surface e.g rain, snow
What is interception?
When precipitation meets vegetation, concrete or buildings before it reaches the soil. Interception stores only last for a short period of time as they often evaporate quickly
What is vegetation storage?
Water taken up by vegetation. All of the moisture stored in vegetation at one time
What is surface storage?
All of the water held on the Earth’s surface at one time e.g in puddles, ponds and lakes