Key terms & definitions

Moving water between areas, usually from an area of surplus to an area of deficit, through infrastructure such as canals and pipelines.

A system that moves water from one area to another through pipes, canals or rivers.

The absorption of water from the soil into a plant, mainly through root hair cells by osmosis.

The absorption of water by a plant, normally from the soil through its roots.

Water in its gaseous state.

Water in its gaseous state.

The difference in water vapour concentration between two places; a steeper difference increases the rate of diffusion.

Freshwater taken from rivers, lakes or underground stores for use. Some may return to the environment after use.

The unit of power; $1\ \text{W}=1\ \text{J/s}$.

The unit of power. A power of one watt means that one joule of energy is transferred each second: $1\text{ W} = 1\text{ J/s}$.

A wall construction made from branches woven together.

A method of building walls using woven branches coated with a mixture containing mud.

The unit of power; one watt means one joule of energy transferred per second.

A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without carrying the medium along with it.

A travelling disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring the material of the medium from end to end.

An indentation eroded into the base of a cliff by wave action.

A gently sloping rock surface at the foot of a cliff, left exposed as the cliff retreats.

A line joining points on a wave that are at the same stage of their oscillation.

A line joining points on a wave that are at the same stage of their cycle, such as a line along a crest.

A line joining points at the same stage of a wave's cycle, such as points along a crest.

The distance between corresponding points on successive waves, such as from one wave crest to the next.

The distance from one point on a wave to the corresponding point on the next wave, such as crest to crest.

The distance between corresponding points on consecutive waves, such as from one crest to the next, measured in metres.

The spread of emitted radiation intensity across different wavelengths.

The movement or progression of a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another.

The distance a wave travels per second through a medium, measured in metres per second (m/s).

The speed at which a wave, and the energy it carries, travels through a medium, measured in metres per second (m/s).

The velocity at which the wave disturbance and its energy propagate, measured in metres per second (m/s).

The speed of a travelling wave together with its direction of travel. Wave speed is measured in metres per second (m/s).

A wax-based finish buffed to give timber a light sheen and enhance its grain.