Two kinds of flow: Every flow is a transfer or a transformation.
Transfer
- It only changes location.
- Water flowing down a river; a rabbit eating grass.
- Heat carried by ocean currents.
Transformation
- It changes chemical nature, state or energy.
- Photosynthesis; water evaporating.
Chemical nature
- Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, burning.
State
- Evaporation, condensation, melting, freezing.
Energy
- Light to chemical in photosynthesis; chemical to heat in respiration.
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The water cycle is the favourite test. Learn which flow is which:
| Process | Transfer or transformation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Precipitation | Transfer | Water falls from clouds to the ground |
| Runoff, infiltration, percolation | Transfer | Water moves over or into the ground |
| Groundwater flow, plant uptake | Transfer | Water moves to a new place |
| Evaporation, transpiration | Transformation | Liquid water becomes vapour |
| Condensation | Transformation | Vapour becomes liquid |
| Snowmelt | Transformation | Solid ice becomes liquid |
Read the figure: Name a process that is shown in the figure. Only your first answer for each is marked.
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In an ecosystem, matter and energy flow through the producers and on along the food chain.
Transfers of matter
- Carbon dioxide diffuses into leaves.
- Water and minerals enter the roots.
- A consumer eats the plant.
Transformations of matter
- Photosynthesis makes glucose.
- Respiration breaks glucose down.
- Decomposers turn dead matter into minerals.
How this comes up: Identify transfers and transformations in a figure, or outline them for a named system.
IB-style questionOutline[4 marks]
Outline two transfers and two transformations of water in the water cycle of a river basin.
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Matter or energy?: If the question says matter, do not give energy flows, and the other way round.