Systems, Feedback loops, Spheres
What is a open system?
What is a closed system?
Open system: matter can enter and leave, energy is able to freely enter or leave
Closed system: matter does not enter or leave, some energy can enter or leave
What are the three cycles?
Carbon, water, and nitrogen
What is transparency and what units are used to measure it?
How clear the water is. Cm
What does force mean?
A push or a pull on an object
What are the three Laws of Motion?
1. Inertia
2. Relationship between force, mass & acceleration
3. Action/reaction
What are the 4 spheres?
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
What does run-off and infiltration mean?
runoff is water that does not infiltrate the soil and runs off across the surface of the watershed.
infiltration is water moving (seeping) from the surface into the ground
What is stream flow and what units are used to measure it?
Volume of water moving through the river over time. ft3/sec
What is a balanced and unbalanced force?
A balanced force are forces that are equal in size and direction. A unbalanced force are forces applied to an object in varying sizes and directions.
Define inertia.
To resist any change in motion.
Whats the difference between a positive feedback loop and a negative feedback loop?
Why is nitrogen important to living things?
Helps with growth.
What is dissolved oxygen and what units are used to measure it?
Amount of oxygen gas in the water. mg/L
What are the two things that impact gravitational force?
Mass and distance
What's the relationship between mass and acceleration?
If the mass increases you need more force for it to accelerate.
What type of system is the Earth?
Closed
How has the amount of CO2 levels changed over the years and how does it affect the Earth?
More CO2 in the atmosphere which causes temperatures to rise.
What are the +/- of high stream flow?
+: more dissolved oxygen
-: more erosion causing low transparency
What is Net Force?
The sum total of all the forces on an object.
What does the F, M and A stand for in the equations?
A: acceleration
F: net force
M: mass
Define all 4 spheres
Hydro: water on the Earth in all phases
Geo: all rock, mineral, and soil on Earth's surface
Atmo: blanket of gas surrounding Earth extends to the edge of space
Bio: all living things of any size
What is the biggest impact on all three of these cycles?
Humans
What are human impacts that affect the river?
Too much fertilizer, water usage, construction
Define acceleration and gravity.
Acceleration is a change in speed or direction. Gravity is the attractive force between two objects
What are three examples of action/reaction forces?
1. air pushes balloon, balloon pushes air
2. balls pushes ground, ground pushes ball
3. body pushes trampoline, trampoline pushes body
(can be any correct but these are some examples)