Water And Carbon Key Terms

Question 1

System

Answer 1

An essemblage of interrelated parts that won together by way of some driving force

Question 2

Input

Answer 2

A point where something is removed from the system

Question 3

Output

Answer 3

A point where something is removed from the system

Question 4

Attributes

Answer 4

The characteristics of the element (eg hot/ cold)

Question 5

Store/ components

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Relationships

Answer 6

Descriptions of how various elements work together various elements work together to carry out some sort of process

Question 7

Elements

Answer 7

Things that make up the system

Question 8

Flow/ transfers

Answer 8

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

Question 9

System boundary

Answer 9

The edge of the system; the interface between one system and another

Question 10

Closed system

Answer 10

A physical system that does not allow certain types of transfers (such as transfer of mass or energy) in or out of the system.

Question 11

Open system

Answer 11

A system that has an external interaction

Question 12

Isolated system

Answer 12

Either a physical system far removed from other system that it does not interact with them, or an enclosed by immovable wall through which nothing can go in or out.

Question 13

Liquid -> gas

Answer 13

Evaporation

>100°c

Question 14

Gas -> liquid

Answer 14

Condensation

<100°c

Question 15

Liquid -> solid

Answer 15

Freezing

<0°c

Question 16

Solid-> liquid

Answer 16

Melting

>0°c

Question 17

Solid -> gas

Answer 17

Sublimation

Question 18

Gas -> solid

Answer 18

Deposition

Question 19

Latent heat

Answer 19

The heat required to convert a solid into a liquid or vapour, without change of temperature
As water molecules become heated by the sun they become agitated and they begin to break the bonds between them, however there’s not enough heat in the su rays to do this so the water molecules absorb energy from their surroundings to give them the final energy to break the bond between them (this energy is known as latent heat)

Question 20

Condesation

Answer 20

Latent heat is released by the water molecules as they slow down and join together so evaporation oiled be thought as a cooling process, and condensation a warming process

Question 21

The hydrological cycle (water cycle)

Answer 21

Movement of water through the atmosphere

75% earths surface is covered by water

Question 22

Drainage basin

Answer 22

The area of land surrounding a river, which the river receives water and subsequently drains this water

Question 23

Watershed

Answer 23

An area/ ridge of land that separates water flowing to different rivers, basins or seas

Question 24

Confluence

Answer 24

The junction of two rivers; where a tributary joins the main river

Question 25

Infiltration

Answer 25

Water entering the ground (into soil layer)

Question 26

Interception

Answer 26

When water is caught by trees and plants

Question 27

Stem flow

Answer 27

Water land on plants and run down their stems

Question 28

Overland flow

Answer 28

Anywhere water flows over the land surface

Question 29

Through flow

Answer 29

When water flows through the ground (through soil layer)

Question 30

Transpiration

Answer 30

When water vapour comes out of leaves

Question 31

Evapotranspiration

Answer 31

When water rises as vapour from the ground or released from leaves

Question 32

Ground water

Answer 32

Water deep in the ground

Question 33

Soil water

Answer 33

Water held between soil particles

Question 34

Ground water flow

Answer 34

The slow movement of ground water

Question 35

Percolation

Answer 35

Movement of water down through the ground

Question 36

Ground water storage

Answer 36

Water stored underground in bedrock

Question 37

Water balance

Answer 37

The difference between the inputs and outputs in the drainage basin If precipitation exceeds runoff and evapotranspiration there will be a positive water balance- amount of water stored increasing If runoff and evapotranspiration exceed precipitation, there will be a negative water balance- amount of water stored decreasing Precipitation= total runoff + evapotranspiration +/- storage

Question 38

Soil moisture balance

Answer 38

Change in the amount of water stored in the soil throughout the year Main factors: precipitation and potential evaporation

Question 39

Potential evaporation

Answer 39

The amount of evapotranspiration that could occur if there was sufficient water available in the system Linked to temp- higher temp= more

Question 40

Runoff

Answer 40

The amount of water in the river | This varies widely between different rivers and in on river throughout the course of a year.

Question 41

Discharge

Answer 41

Cross sectional area of water (m2) x speed of the water (m/s) The level of runoff at a given time is studied by measuring river discharge

Question 42

River regime

Answer 42

The variability in river discharge through the course of the year in response to precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and drainage basin characteristics