The Water Cycle & Drainage Basin System (Edexcel IGCSE Geography): Flashcards
Exam code: 4GE1
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Define closed system in the context of the hydrological cycle.
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Define closed system in the context of the hydrological cycle.
A closed system is one where no matter enters or leaves, and water is constantly recycled within the system.
The hydrological cycle consists of where water is held and , which are constantly moving water around the system.
The hydrological cycle consists of stores where water is held and transfers, which are constantly moving water around the system.
Define store in the hydrological cycle.
A store in the hydrological cycle is a place where water is held for a period of time. Examples include the atmosphere, surface water, aquifers, ice, snow, seas, and oceans.
Water that flows down branches and trunks to the ground is known as .
Water that flows down branches and trunks to the ground is known as stemflow.
Define evapotranspiration.
Evapotranspiration is the combined transfer of water vapour from the Earth's surface and from plants into the atmosphere.
The process by which plants release water vapour from their leaves is called .
The process by which plants release water vapour from their leaves is called transpiration.
What is condensation in the hydrological cycle?
Condensation is the process where water vapour cools and changes into liquid water droplets, leading to the formation of clouds.
True or False?
Overland flow is the transfer of water through rocks.
False.
Overland flow is any water flowing across the Earth's surface, while the transfer of water through rocks is called groundwater flow.
What is advection in the hydrological cycle?
The horizontal movement of air that carries water vapour and water droplets from one place to another.
What is the difference between infiltration and percolation?
Infiltration is the transfer of water from the surface into the soil; percolation is the transfer of water from the soil into the rocks and aquifers.
Name two conditions that increase the rate of evaporation.
Higher temperatures and strong winds.
Define drainage basin.
A drainage basin is the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. It is also called a catchment area.
What does it mean that a drainage basin is an open system?
A drainage basin is an open system because it has both inputs (such as precipitation) and outputs (such as evaporation, transpiration, and water leaving to the sea or lake).
The boundary between drainage basins is called the .
The boundary between drainage basins is called the watershed.
What is the source of a river?
The source of a river is the point furthest from its mouth, where the river begins, usually in an upland lake, spring or glacier.
Streams or rivers that flow into larger rivers are called .
Streams or rivers that flow into larger rivers are called tributaries.
What is the mouth of a river?
The mouth of a river is where it enters the sea, ocean, or sometimes a lake.
If the soil or rock is , water cannot infiltrate, leading to high drainage density.
If the soil or rock is impermeable, water cannot infiltrate, leading to high drainage density.
True or False?
A drainage basin is a closed system with no inputs or outputs.
False.
A drainage basin is an open system with both inputs (like precipitation) and outputs (like evaporation and discharge to the sea).
Define confluence.
The place where two or more streams or rivers meet.
What is overland flow?
When water flows over the surface because it cannot infiltrate the impermeable ground.
What is the difference between throughflow and groundwater flow?
Throughflow is water flowing through the soil; groundwater flow is water flowing through the rocks.
Define channel network.
The main river channel and all of its tributaries.
Where the rock or soil is ______, water can infiltrate, leading to low drainage density.
Where the rock or soil is permeable, water can infiltrate, leading to low drainage density.
Define storm hydrograph.
A storm hydrograph is a graph that shows the changes in river discharge over a short period of time, usually 24 hours, following a storm event.
What does lag time represent on a storm hydrograph?
Lag time is the time difference between the peak rainfall and the peak discharge on a storm hydrograph.
The limb on a storm hydrograph shows the increase in river discharge following a storm.
The rising limb on a storm hydrograph shows the increase in river discharge following a storm.
What effect does an increase in overland flow have on a river's storm hydrograph?
An increase in overland flow leads to shorter lag times, increased discharge and a steeper rising limb on a river’s storm hydrograph.
Define river regime.
A river regime is the annual pattern of discharge or flow of a river, as influenced by various factors such as climate, geology, vegetation, and land use.
Vegetation increases and infiltration, leading to reduced overland flow and so a in river discharge.
Vegetation increases interception and infiltration, leading to reduced overland flow and so a slower increase in river discharge.
True or False?
Impermeable rocks reduce infiltration and percolation, increasing overland flow and river discharge.
True.
Impermeable rocks do not allow water to infiltrate or percolate, resulting in more overland flow and higher river discharge.
Define discharge.
The amount of water passing a specific point on a river at a given time.
Define base flow.
The 'normal' level of river discharge, with water coming mainly from groundwater flow.
What does the recessional limb show on a storm hydrograph?
The river discharge returning to normal flow.
The ______ the lag time, the higher the risk of flooding.
The shorter the lag time, the higher the risk of flooding.
How do steep slopes affect river discharge?
Steep slopes increase overland flow and reduce infiltration, leading to increased river discharge.
How does water abstraction affect river discharge?
Water taken for irrigation and domestic use decreases river discharge.
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