Water Cycle

• what approach is taken when looking at the water cycle?

  ''systems approach''

  inputs -> processes -> outputs
• what is the definition of an input?

  material or energy moving into the system from outside
• give an example of an input?

  precipitation
• what is the definition of an output?

  Material or energy moving from the system to the outside
• give an example of an output?

  runoff
• what is the definition of energy?

  power or driving test
• give an example of energy?

  production of glucose through the process of photosynthesis
• what is the definition of stores/components?

  the individual elements or parts of a system
• give examples of stores/components?

  trees soil rocks
• what is the definition of flows/transfers?

  the links or relationships between the components
• give examples of flows/transfers?

  infiltration, groundwater flow
• what is the definition of feedback?

  when a change in one factor causes changes in other associated factors
• what is the definition of dynamic equilibrium?

  this represents a state of balance within a constantly changing system
• what is the definition of positive feedback?

  when a change in a factor causes a series of changes in other factors leading to an increase in the original factor
• give an example of positive feedback?

  increase global temp = increase evaporation = increase cloud cover = increase global warming = increase global temp
• what is the definition of negative feedback?

  when a change in a factor causes a series of changes in other factors leading to a decrease in the original factor
• give an example of negative feedback?

  increase global temp = increase evaporation = increase cloud cover = decrease insolation = decrease global temp
• How does water reach a river?

  1. direct precipitation
  2. surface runoff
  3. throughflow
  4. groundwater flow
• which 2 processes of how water reaches a river are quickflow?

  direct precipitation

  surface runoff
• which 2 processes of how water reaches a river are slowflow processes?

  throughflow

  groundwater flow
• what flood risk do quickflow processes have?

  high
• what flood risk do slowflow proceses have?


  low
• what process separates quickflow and slowflow processes?

  infiltration (infiltration does not take place in quickflow processes)
• soil profile?

  i think