Water cycle

• What is the link between one star and another in the context of flow transfer?

  Movement of energy or mass
• What does 'input' refer to in a system?

  Addition of matter or energy
• What is a 'store/component' in a system?

  Part of a system where energy/mass is stored
• How is a 'system' defined?

  A set of interrelated components working together
• What are the classifications of systems?

  • Isolated systems: No interactions outside boundary
  • Closed systems: Energy transfer only, no matter transfer
  • Open systems: Matter and energy transfer across boundary
  • Cascading systems: Open systems forming a chain
• What does it mean when a system is in a state of dynamic equilibrium?

  Inputs and outputs are balanced
• What happens when one element in a system changes?

  The equilibrium is upset, causing feedback
• What is positive feedback?

  Effects of an action are amplified
• Give an example of positive feedback.

  Increasing carbon dioxide levels
• What is negative feedback?

  Effects of an action are nullified
• Provide an example of negative feedback.

  Increased plant growth reduces CO2
• Describe the water cycle components.

  • Atmospheric water: Water vapor in the atmosphere
  • Cryospheric water: Water locked as ice
  • Hydrosphere: Layer of water at Earth's surface
  • Oceanic water: Water in oceans and seas
  • Terrestrial water: Groundwater, soil moisture, lakes, rivers
• What percentage of all water is oceanic water?

  97%
• What percentage of all water is freshwater?

  3%
• Where is the majority of freshwater found?

  Ice caps and glaciers
• What percentage of freshwater is found in ice caps and glaciers?

  79%
• What percentage of freshwater is easily accessible?

  1%
• What are the types of cryospheric water?

  • Ice caps: Large ice masses
  • Sea ice: Ice on ocean surfaces
  • Permafrost: Ground that remains frozen
  • Alpine glaciers: Thick ice in valleys
  • Ice sheets: Large ice masses like Greenland
• What are the types of terrestrial water?

  • Surface water: Rivers, lakes, wetlands
  • Groundwater: Water in rock pores
  • Soil water: Water in unsaturated soil
  • Biological water: Water in biomass
• How does atmospheric water exist?

  In all three states: solid, liquid, gas
• Why is water vapor important?

  It scatters solar radiation, maintaining temperature
• What leads to cloud formation?

  Warm air cools, causing condensation
• What are the types of precipitation?

  • Frontal precipitation: Warm air rises over cool air
  • Orographic precipitation: Air rises over mountains
  • Convection precipitation: Ground heating causes moisture to rise
• What factors affect evaporation rates?

  Solar energy, water availability, humidity, temperature
• What occurs during condensation?

  Water vapor changes to liquid at dew point
• What are system elements?

  Things that compose a system
• What are system attributes?

  Characteristics of elements in a system
• What are power geometries?

  Unevenly distributed power between groups
• What are the atmospheric circulation cells?

  • Hadley cell: Low pressure, cloudy and windy
  • Ferrell cell: Transitional between Hadley and polar cells
  • Polar cell: High pressure, dry and clear
• What is the Coriolis effect?

  Causes changes in winds and tides
• What is differential heating?

  Earth's tilt and rotation create seasons
• What are the zones of a glacier?

  • Zone of accumulation: Snow turns to glacial ice
  • Zone of ablation: More snow lost than gained
  • Equilibrium line: Boundary between the two zones
• What are the types of seres?

  • Hydrosere: Grows in water
  • Litosere: Grows in rock
  • Psammosere: Grows in sand
  • Xerosere: Grows in dry areas
  • Halosere: Grows in saline bodies
• What is radiative forcing?

  Energy coming in versus leaving from the sun
• What are the subsystems of the Earth?

  • Hydrosphere: 96.5% of Earth's water
  • Cryosphere: 1.7% of glaciers and ice sheets
  • Atmosphere: 0.001% of clouds and vapor
  • Lithosphere: 1.7% of water in rocks
• What is sheet flow?

  Water flowing across large surface areas
• What are rills?

  Concentrated water in small channels
• What is the role of forests in the hydrological cycle?

  • Transmits large quantities of water
  • Increases transpiration and evaporation
  • Replenishes clouds
  • Traps moisture with trees and roots
• What are the effects of deforestation on the hydrological cycle?

  Less transpiration leads to drought
• How does agriculture affect the hydrological cycle?

  Uses large quantities of water