systems framework -carbon and water cycle

flow/transfer

a form of linkage between one store/component and another that involves movement of energy or mass

input

the addition of matter and or energy into a system

output

the results of the processes within a system

store/component

a part of the system within a system

system

a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process

elements

things that make up the systems of interest

attributes

the percieved characteristics of the elements

relationships

descriptions of how various elements and their attributes work together to carry out some kind of process

isolated systems

these have no interactions with anything outside the system boundary

no input or output

closed systems

these have transfers of energy both into and beyond the system boundary but not transfer of matter

open systems

these are where matter and energy can be transferred from the system across the boundary into surrounding environment

dynamic equilibrium

there is a balance between inputs and outputs in an open system over time a change to one element in an open system can result in a change to a related element

positive feedback

where the effects of an action are amplified by subsequent knock on effect

negative feedback

where the effects of an action are nullified by its subsequent knock on effects

example of positive feedback

global temperatures rise - warms the oceans

increased oceanic temperature -warm water less able to dissolve gas

Dissolved CO2 released by warmer oceans -CO2 back into the atmosphere

more CO2 in the atmospheric temperatures rise

examples of negative feedback

increase in atmospheric co2-global temperatures increase

more plant growth-increase take up of co2

reduces atmospheric co2-reduced co2 has a dampening affect and reduces global temperatures

cascading system

open systems forming a chain

latent heat

energy requires for a change pf state

absorbed or released

fusion

melting-abosrbing more heat from sun

freezing-latent heat is transferred back into the atmosphere

sublimation

sublimation/deposition

how can a system framework be applied to the water cycle?

it breaks down into elements and their attributes to show their relationships

it simplifies relationships between components allowing improved understanding

for example, precipitation is a flow, moving water from the atmosphere store to the hydrosphere store

it allows us to distinguish between the water cycle as a closed system and an open system within it e.g drainage basin

how is hydrological cycle a closed system

becasue energy can cross the boundary e.g insolation in and radiation out but matter cannot cross the boundary

how is a drainage basin an open system

it recieves inout of matter and energy from the outside of the system and outputs from the system e.g insolation and precipitation in ,water and evaporation out