Water And Carbon Cycle

Question 1

Components of a system

Answer 1

Inputs, outputs, transfers and stores

Question 2

Energy within a system

Answer 2

drives change/movement between components

Question 3

Offset

Answer 3

• Counteract (something) by having an opposing force or effect.
• Carbon offsetting is where companies invest in green solutions to make up for their carbon footprint

Question 4

Process

Answer 4

A series of natural or human actions that take place within a system. Natural processes are affected by energy, forces e.g gravity and human intervention

Question 5

Region

Answer 5

An area of part of a country, often referred to due to its unique physical, geopolitical or demographic characteristics.

(Larger than local, smaller than global)

Question 6

Model

Answer 6

Idealised representation of reality

Question 7

System

Answer 7

A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements that function together as a whole.

Question 8

Open system

Answer 8

A system with inputs and outputs of both energy and matter

Question 9

Closed system

Answer 9

A system with inputs and outputs of energy

Question 10

Dynamic Equilibrium

Answer 10

A state of balance where inputs are equal to outputs in a system that is constantly changing. The equilibrium may be upset by events such as burning fossil fuels which then increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Question 11

Inputs

Answer 11

Additions to a system (energy and precipitation)

Question 12

Outputs

Answer 12

Removal of energy or matter from a system (evaporation & river discharge)

Question 13

Stores

Answer 13

An accumulation of sediment (e.g in a lake)

Question 14

Transfer or flow

Answer 14

Movement of water and carbon between stores. (Groundwater flow & photosynthesis)

Question 15

Negative feedback

Answer 15

When a change in the system causes other changes that have the opposite effect. This restores balance in a system.

Question 16

Positive feedback

Answer 16

When a change in the system causes other changes that have a similar effect so that the initial change is enhanced.

Question 17

Atmosphere

Answer 17

The air that surrounds earth

Question 18

Lithosphere

Answer 18

The outermost solid layer of the earth (100km thick) comprising the crust and the upper mantle

Question 19

Hydrosphere

Answer 19

All the water on or surrounding the earth, including oceans, seas, lake rivers and the water in the atmosphere.

Question 20

Biosphere

Answer 20

All living things on earth

Question 21

Cryosphere

Answer 21

The frozen parts of the Earths surface including ice caps, frozen oceans, glaciers and snow cover