Glossary

Question 1

Stores/ Components

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Flows/ Transfers

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Inputs

Answer 3

A part where something is added to a system.

Question 4

Outputs

Answer 4

A point where something is removed from a system.

Question 5

Isolated systems

Answer 5

Have no interactions with anything outside the system boundary.

Question 6

Closed systems

Answer 6

A system that transfers energy, not matter.

Question 7

Open systems

Answer 7

A system that transfers both energy and matter.

Question 8

Cascading systems

Answer 8

The transfer of mass and energy along a chain of component sub-systems, such that the output from one subsystem becomes the input for the adjacent subsystem.

Question 9

Dynamic equilibrium

Answer 9

Small variations in inputs and outputs within a system can create change, but on average remains balanced.

Question 10

Positive feedback

Answer 10

Amplify the change in the inputs and outputs, increasing the effects.

Question 11

Negative feedback

Answer 11

Counteracts the change in the inputs and outputs, decreasing the effects.

Question 12

Atmosphere

Answer 12

Made of the layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body.

Question 13

Lithosphere

Answer 13

The solid, outer part of Earth (crust).

Question 14

Hydrosphere

Answer 14

Total amount of water on a planet.

Question 15

Cryosphere

Answer 15

Contains the frozen parts of the planet.

Question 16

Biosphere

Answer 16

Made up of the parts of Earth where life exists (plants and animals).

Question 17

Terrestrial weather

Answer 17

The free-flowing water of streams and rivers, and the water of ponds and lakes.

Question 18

Water cycle

Answer 18

The continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

Question 19

Drainage basin

Answer 19

An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.

Question 20

Evaporation

Answer 20

When liquid turns to water vapour because the sun heats the water molecules and gives them energy.

Question 21

Evapotranspiration

Answer 21

The loss of water from a drainage basin into the atmosphere from the leaves of plants and loss from evaporation.

Question 22

Potential evapotranspiration

Answer 22

Represents the combined loss of water through the plants process of transpiration via its vascular system and evaporation of water from the Earth’s surface.

Question 23

Condensation

Answer 23

As air cools and loses energy, can’t hold as much water vapour so turns back to liquid when dew point temperature is reached.

Question 24

Precipitation

Answer 24

Any form of water (rain, hail, sleet, snow) that falls from the atmosphere to the land or oceans.

Question 25

Sublimation

Answer 25

When a solid turns to a gas.

Question 26

Vaporisation

Answer 26

The process of a liquid turning into vapour.

Question 27

100% humidity

Answer 27

The maximum amount of moisture in the air at a particular temperature the air is at (fully saturated).

Question 28

Saturation (air)

Answer 28

Occurs when the air has 100% humidity.

Question 29

Dew point temperature

Answer 29

If the air has become saturated it is at dew point temperature.

Question 30

Latent heat

Answer 30

The heat or energy that is absorbed or released during a phase change of a substance.

Question 31

Condensation nuclei

Answer 31

Tiny particles in the air on which water vapour condenses.

Question 32

Water vapour

Answer 32

The gaseous phase of water.