Key words

Question 1

A cycle

Answer 1

an example of a continuous system e.g. water cycle or carbon cycle.

Question 2

A system

Answer 2

a model which helps to explain relationships within a unit. It consists of a number of components which are linked together.

Is a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process.

Question 3

A model

Answer 3

a way of simplifying or representing a complex reality.

Question 4

Elements

Answer 4

the parts or substances that make up the system

Question 5

Attributes

Answer 5

characteristics of the elements that may be perceived and measured

Question 6

Relationships

Answer 6

associations that occur between elements and attributes

Question 7

Boundary

Answer 7

the edge of a system

Question 8

inputs

Answer 8

elements entering the system

the addition of matter and/or energy into a system

Question 9

Stores/components

Answer 9

elements being stored in the system

A part of the system where energy/mass is stored or transformed

Question 10

Flows/transfers

Answer 10

elements moving around the system

A form of linkage between one store/component and another that involves movement of energy or mass

Question 11

Outputs

Answer 11

elements leaving the system

Question 12

Dynamic equilibrium

Answer 12

there is a balance between both inputs and outputs

Question 13

Open system

Answer 13

when there are both inputs and outputs transfers energy and matter (or mass) across its boundary

Question 14

Closed system

Answer 14

when there are no inputs or outputs matter (or mass) is confined to the system but energy may enter and exit

Question 15

Positive feedback

Answer 15

when the effects of an action are amplified by other knock-on effects

Question 16

Negative feedback

Answer 16

when the effects of an action are nullified by its knock-on effects

Question 17

Isolated system

Answer 17

no interactions beyond its boundary

Question 18

Cascading system

Answer 18

made up of a chain of open systems where the output from one system forms the input into another

Question 19

Atmosphere

Answer 19

Is the layer of gas between the earth’s surface and space, held in place by gravity

Question 20

Lithosphere

Answer 20

Is the outermost part of the earth. It includes the crust and the upper parts of the mantle.

Question 21

Hydrosphere

Answer 21

The hydrosphere includes all of the water on earth. It may be in liquid from, solid form or gas from. It can also be saline or fresh.

Question 22

Biosphere

Answer 22

The biosphere is the part of the earth’s system where living things are found. It includes all living parts of earth plants , animals, birds, fungi, insects, bacteria etc.

Question 23

Cryosphere

Answer 23

Includes all the parts of the earth system where its cold enough for water to freeze eg. Glacial landscapes

Question 24

Magnitude

Answer 24

the strength or amount of something

Question 25

Precipitation

Answer 25

water falling in its many forms such as rain, hail, sleet or snow

Question 26

Evaporation

Answer 26

The process by which liquid water changes to a gas. This requires energy, which is provided by the sun and aided by wind

Question 27

Condensation

Answer 27

The process by which water vapour changes to liquid water

Question 28

Troposphere

Answer 28

the lower part of the atmosphere where all our weather occurs

Question 29

ITCZ

Answer 29

Inter-tropical convergence zone - where warm air from the tropics meet at the Equator creating an area of low pressure

Question 30

Dew point

Answer 30

the temperature at which water vapour turns into a liquid creating a cloud

Question 31

High pressure

Answer 31

when the air is descending and warming therefore no condensation

Question 32

Low pressure

Answer 32

when the warm air is rising creating clouds and precipitation

Question 33

Orographic

Answer 33

the movement of water vapour over a mountain

Question 34

Prevailing

Answer 34

the most common wind direction

Question 35

Rain shadow

Answer 35

the side of the mountain that is dry due to the windward side receiving precipitation

Question 36

Ablation

Answer 36

when the ice melts into water

Question 37

Accumulation

Answer 37

when liquid water freezes into ice

Question 38

Sublimation

Answer 38

when a solid (e.g. ice) turns immediately into a gas without melting

Question 39

Deposition

Answer 39

when water vapour immediately freezes without turning into a liquid first

Question 40

Calving

Answer 40

when part of an ice sheet breaks off, creating an iceberg

Question 41

Ice sheets

Answer 41

a mass of glacial ice extending over 50,000 Km2

Question 42

Ice caps

Answer 42

thick layers of ice on land that are smaller than 50,000 Km2

Question 43

Glaciers

Answer 43

thick masses of ice found in deep valleys or upland hollows

Question 44

Permafrost

Answer 44

ground that remains at or below 0c for at least 2 years

Question 45

Sea ice

Answer 45

that part of the Arctic and Antarctic that freezes in the winter

Question 46

Latent heat

Answer 46

is the amount of heat that is given out or taken in from the surroundings.

Question 47

Water scarcity

Answer 47

is when the annual supply of water per person is below 1,000m3

Question 48

Water stress

Answer 48

is when the annual supply of water per person is less than 1,700m3

Question 49

Economic scarcity

Answer 49

human and financial factors limit water use to less than 25% of river flows

Question 50

Physical scarcity

Answer 50

more than 75% of river flows being used

Question 51

Precipitation

Answer 51

water falling from the sky as rain, hail, sleet or snow

Question 52

Throughfall

Answer 52

rainwater dripping off the tips of leaves

Question 53

Stemflow

Answer 53

water flowing down the branches, trunk of a tree

Question 54

Infiltration

Answer 54

water absorbing into the ground

Question 55

Evapotranspiration

Answer 55

water being evaporated or transpired

Question 56

Overland flow/sheet flow

Answer 56

water running off the surface of the ground

Question 57

Throughflow

Answer 57

water flowing through the ground

Question 58

Percolation

Answer 58

water soaking its way down through the underlying rock

Question 59

Groundwater store and flow

Answer 59

water stored under the ground

Question 60

Channel flow

Answer 60

the water that is flowing in a river

Question 61

Run off

Answer 61

water flowing in channels across the ground

Question 62

Water table

Answer 62

this marks the top of the groundwater