Parallel processes
In computer science, parallel computing is a form of computing in which many calculations or processes are carried out simultaneously. Large problems can then be broken down into smaller problems, which can subsequently be solved at the same time. Parallel computing is particularly useful when the underlying problem consists of many small parts that can largely be solved independently. The more the parts need to communicate with one another, the less efficient the parallelisation of the problem becomes.
In the concrete example of infiltration given below, we can also see parallel processes. Depending on the structure and density of the subsoil, the water will seep in or infiltrate.
Infiltration
Summary
Infiltration is the process by which water penetrates the soil and enters the unsaturated zone of the soil. If water in a particular region is not given enough opportunity to infiltrate into the soil, it can contribute to water scarcity in that region.
Infiltration is caused by multiple factors including; gravity, capillary forces, adsorption, and osmosis. Many soil characteristics can also play a role in determining the rate at which infiltration occurs.
Precipitation can impact infiltration in many ways. The amount, type, and duration of precipitation all have an impact. Rainfall leads to faster infiltration rates than any other precipitation event, such as snow or sleet. In terms of amount, the more precipitation that occurs, the more infiltration will occur until the ground reaches saturation, at which point the infiltration capacity is reached.
The duration of rainfall impacts the infiltration capacity as well. Initially when the precipitation event first starts the infiltration is occurring rapidly as the soil is unsaturated, but as time continues the infiltration rate slows as the soil becomes more saturated. This relationship between rainfall and infiltration capacity also determines how much runoff will occur. If rainfall occurs at a rate faster than the infiltration capacity runoff will occur.
Disclaimer
These examples of enlightening directed analytic graphs only serve to illustrate the possibilities of the concept.