3.1.1.2 The water cycle
Runoff variation and the flood hydrograph.

Learning outcomes

• Students to understand how river flow rates are measured and how data can be used.
• Students will be able to describe and explain the characteristics of a storm and flood hydrograph. Rising limb, peak discharge, lag time and receding limb.
• Students to understand human and physical factors affecting a storm and flood hydrograph.-
• Students to understand the relative speeds of water transfers identified in the drainage basin lesson.

Suggested timing
2 hours

3.1.1.4 Water, carbon, climate and life on Earth
The role of feedbacks within and between cycles and their link to climate change and implications for life on Earth.

Learning outcomes
This lesson will help students to understand:

• Students to understand the positive feedback between CO2 led warming leading to higher evaporation rates and a wetter atmosphere.
• Students to understand the significance of water (water vapour and clouds) and carbon (CO2) as greenhouse gases.
• Students to understand the dominance of CO2 in controlling the scale of the greenhouse effect.
• How the changing carbon budget on the land and oceans can link to different feedback loops.

Suggested timing
1 hour

This lesson will help students to understand:

• The history and background of a distant place and how this has shaped its character.
• What the physical and human characteristics of the distant place are.

How the distant place may have changed over time.