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Questions and Answers
Explain how a slope system demonstrates the characteristics of an open system, with reference to inputs, outputs, stores, and flows.
Explain how a slope system demonstrates the characteristics of an open system, with reference to inputs, outputs, stores, and flows.
A slope system is an open system as it exchanges both matter and energy across its boundaries. Inputs include precipitation and solar energy; outputs include sediment and evaporated water; stores include soil and vegetation; flows include surface runoff and throughflow.
Describe the key differences between a closed system and an isolated system, providing a real-world example of each.
Describe the key differences between a closed system and an isolated system, providing a real-world example of each.
A closed system exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings (e.g., the Earth's carbon cycle). An isolated system exchanges neither energy nor matter (a truly isolated system is theoretical, but a well-sealed calorimeter is a close approximation).
Explain how changes in land use within a drainage basin (e.g., deforestation, urbanization) can affect the river's hydrograph.
Explain how changes in land use within a drainage basin (e.g., deforestation, urbanization) can affect the river's hydrograph.
Deforestation reduces interception and increases surface runoff, leading to a steeper rising limb and higher peak discharge on the hydrograph. Urbanization increases impermeable surfaces, resulting in faster flow, reduced lag time, and increased flood risk.
Outline the processes involved in river transportation (traction, saltation, suspension, and solution) and explain how a change in river velocity affects these processes.
Outline the processes involved in river transportation (traction, saltation, suspension, and solution) and explain how a change in river velocity affects these processes.
Describe the concept of dynamic equilibrium in a drainage basin and explain how a major flood event can disrupt this equilibrium.
Describe the concept of dynamic equilibrium in a drainage basin and explain how a major flood event can disrupt this equilibrium.
Flashcards
Understanding Systems
Understanding Systems
A framework to analyze interrelated components in geography.
Types of Systems
Types of Systems
Different classifications of systems, such as open, closed, and isolated systems.
Slope as an Open Dynamic System
Slope as an Open Dynamic System
A sloped area where processes like erosion and sediment transport are ongoing and influenced by external factors.
Drainage Basins
Drainage Basins
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Rivers and their Role
Rivers and their Role
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Study Notes
Understanding Systems in Geography
- Systems are interconnected sets of components that interact to form a whole. They can be natural (like a river system) or human-made (like a city).
- Systems can be open or closed. Open systems exchange matter and energy with their surroundings, whereas closed systems do not.
- Slope systems are dynamic, meaning they are constantly changing due to processes like weathering, erosion, and mass movement. This constant change is what makes them open systems.
Types of Systems
- Open Systems: Exchange both matter and energy with their surroundings. Examples include a river, a city, and the atmosphere.
- Closed Systems: Exchange only energy with their surroundings. Perfect closed systems are rare in nature.
- Isolated Systems: Exchange neither matter nor energy with their surroundings. Perfect examples are incredibly rare.
Slope as an Open Dynamic System
- Slopes are dynamic because they are constantly changing due to external factors.
- The process of weathering and erosion are constantly affecting slopes, which are open due to this.
- Slope stability is affected by factors like the angle of the slope, the type of rock or soil, and the amount of water present.
- Slopes can be categorized based on their angle - gentle, moderate, and steep.
- Mass movements (landslides, mudflows) are a common result of slope instability and often indicate an open system at work that results in unstable systems.
Drainage Basins and Rivers
- A drainage basin is a geographical area where water from rain or melting snow flows into a common outlet, like a river, lake, or ocean.
- Rivers are vital components of drainage basins. They carry water and sediment (eroded rock, soil).
- The shape and size of a drainage basin can vary greatly. Different factors like climate, geology and topography all impact the morphology and dynamics of drainage basins.
- Rivers and drainage basins are complex open systems. They are shaped by external forces like precipitation, topography, and human activities. Internal factors like channel morphology (shape and size) also contribute to how the river system functions.
- River systems are interconnected and dynamic through the movement of water, sediment and their downstream transport.
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