Positive and negative feedback mechanisms in the water and carbon cycles
Feedback happens when a change in a system triggers a response. Positive feedback amplifies the original change. Negative feedback resists it and pushes the system back toward its previous state.
Real World
Arctic ice-albedo feedback is a real positive feedback loop: as Arctic sea ice melts, darker ocean water absorbs more heat, raising temperatures further — contributing to the Arctic warming nearly four times faster than the global average since 1979.
Exam Focus
Always state the direction of change at each step in the feedback loop — vague chains without cause-and-effect links lose marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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