Transfer of energy but not matter between the system and its surroundings e.g water cycle and global carbon cycle.
1 of 42
Open Systems
Transfer of energy and matter across boundaries e.g. humans.
2 of 42
Dynamic Equilibrium
When the balance between inputs and outputs is equal.
3 of 42
Positive Feedback
When the affects of an action are amplified or multiplied by subsequent knock-on or secondary effects.
4 of 42
Negative Feedback
Where the effects of an action are nullified by its subsequent knock-on effects.
5 of 42
Isolated Systems
These have no interactions with anything outside the system boundary e.g. controlled laboratory experiments.
6 of 42
Cryospheric Water or Cryosphere
The water locked up on the earths surface as ice.
7 of 42
Atmospheric Water
Water found in the atmosphere such as water vapour.
8 of 42
Oceanic Water
The water contained in the oceans and seas.
9 of 42
Hydrosphere
Water found on earth including oceans,seas,lakes,rivers etc.
10 of 42
Terrestrial Water
This consists of groundwater, soil moisture, lakes, rivers and wetlands.
11 of 42
Lithosphere
The rocky outer part of the earth.
12 of 42
Biosphere
The layer of earth where life exists.
13 of 42
Atmosphere
Layer of gases surrounding the earth that is held in place by gravity.
14 of 42
Residence Time
The length of time water stays in various stores.
15 of 42
Precipitation
Transfer of water from the atmosphere to the ground. E.g. rain,snow,hail,dew.
16 of 42
Evaporation
Transfer of water from liquid state to gaseous state (water vapour). The vast majority occurs from the oceans to the atmosphere.
17 of 42
Condensation
Transfer of water from a gaseous state to a liquid state, for example the formation of clouds.
18 of 42
Sublimation
Transfer from a solid state to a gaseous state and vice versa.
19 of 42
Interception
Water intercepted and stored on leaves and plants.
20 of 42
Overland Flow
Transfer of water over the land surface.
21 of 42
Infiltration
Transfer of water from the ground surface into the soil.
22 of 42
Throughflow
Water flowing through soil towards a river channel.
23 of 42
Percolation
Water soaking into rocks.
24 of 42
Groundwater flow
Transfer of water very slowly through rocks.
25 of 42
Crysopheric Process
Processes that affect the total mass of ice at any scale from local patches of frozen ground to global ice amounts. They include accumulation (the build up of ice mass) and ablation (the loss of ice mass).
26 of 42
Drainage Basin
An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.
27 of 42
Saturated
Applies to any water store that has reached its maximum capacity.
28 of 42
Stemflow
The portion of precipitation intercepted by the canopy that reaches the ground by flowing down stems etc.
29 of 42
Transpiration
The loss of water from vegetation through pores on their surfaces.
30 of 42
Water Balance
The balance between input sand outputs in a drainage basin.
31 of 42
Base Flow
This represents the normal day-to-day discharge of the river.
32 of 42
Discharge
The amount of water in a river flowing past a particular point.
33 of 42
Lag time
The time between the peak rainfall and peak discharge.
34 of 42
Peak Discharge
The point on a flood hydrograph when the river discharge is at its greatest.
35 of 42
Storm Flow
A graph of discharge of a river over the time period when the normal flow of the river is affected by a storm event.
36 of 42
Carbon Sink
A store that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
37 of 42
Carbon Source
Releases more carbon than it absorbs.
38 of 42
Carbon Sequestration
The capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or capturing anthropogenic (carbon dioxide generated by humans) from large scale sources e.g. power plants before it is released into the atmosphere.
39 of 42
Greenhouse gas
Any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere.
40 of 42
The Carbon Budget
The balance of exchange between the four major stores.
41 of 42
Radiative Forcing
The difference between the incoming solar energy absorbed by the earth and energy radiated back to space.
42 of 42
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Open Systems
Back
Transfer of energy and matter across boundaries e.g. humans.
Comments
No comments have yet been made