1.a. Water and carbon support life on Earth and move between the land, oceans and atmosphere.

Question 1

what are systems?

Answer 1

stores and flows that join them together

Question 2

is the water cycle an open or closed system?

Answer 2

on a global scale is a CLOSED system –> no new water is created or destroyed it cycles round. The cycle is driven by the sun’s ENERGY. only emerge (not water) crosses the boundary

Question 3

is the water cycle open or closed on a small scale?

Answer 3

on a smaller scale a drainage basin (area drained by a particular river and its tributaries) is an OPEN system. Water and energy enter and leave the drainage basin.

Question 4

what are the inputs and flows in a drainage basin?

Answer 4

inputs = precipitation, channel precipitation (rain the falls on the river itself). flows = stemflow, surface runoff, infiltration, throughflow, percolation, groundwater flow, ablation

Question 5

what is carbon the base of all living matter - examples?

Answer 5

proteins, sugars, carbohydrates, fats

Question 6

what is the biosphere built on? what kind of resource is it?

Answer 6

large molecules of carbon atoms –> agriculture, crops, trees, avaliable for human use as food, timber, paper. it is an economic resource for fossil fuels e.g. coal, oil power the global economcy oil is a raw material used to manufacture plastics, paints, synthetic fabrics

Question 7

is carbon open or closed system?

Answer 7

on a global scale = a CLOSED system only energy enters and leaves, the forest ecosystem is an OPEN system. carbon enters and leaves. the forest ecosystem is an open system. carbon enters and leaves