6th Grade Hydrology Practice Unit Test

Evaporation: the process of water changing from a liquid to a gas state, occurs at the surface of the Earth, oceans, lakes, and rivers
Condensation: the process of water vapor changing back into a liquid, occurs when water vapor cools down
Precipitation: the process of water falling to the Earth's surface, can occur in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail
Infiltration: the process of water seeping into the soil, becomes groundwater
Percolation: the process of water moving downward through the soil, becomes groundwater
Transpiration: the process of water being absorbed by plants and released into the air as water vapor
Sublimation: the process of water changing directly from a solid to a gas state, occurs when snow or ice is exposed to air

Ocean: a large body of saltwater that covers over 70% of the Earth's surface
Salinity: the measure of salt concentration in the ocean, affects the density of seawater
Continental Shelf: the shallow area of the ocean floor near the coastline, where the ocean meets the land
Continental Slope: the steep drop-off from the continental shelf to the deeper ocean floor
Abyssal Plain: the flat, deep area of the ocean floor
Mid-Ocean Ridge: the mountain range that runs through the center of the ocean, where new ocean crust is created
Ocean Currents: the movement of ocean water, driven by winds, tides, and the Coriolis Effect
Surface Currents: the movement of ocean water at the surface, driven by winds and tides
Deep Currents: the movement of ocean water at great depths, driven by differences in temperature and density

Rivers: a natural flowing body of water that begins at a source and flows towards an ocean, lake, or wetland
Lakes: a body of freshwater, often connected to rivers and wetlands
Swamps: a wetland area with standing water, often dominated by trees and vegetation
Groundwater: water stored beneath the Earth's surface, in aquifers and soil
Aquifer: a layer of permeable rock or soil that stores groundwater
Flood Plain: a flat area surrounding a river, often flooded during heavy rainfall or storms

Point Source Pollution: pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a factory or sewage pipe
Non-Point Source Pollution: pollution that comes from a variety of sources, such as agricultural runoff or stormwater

Rift Valley: a long, narrow valley where the Earth's crust is being pulled apart, often forming new oceans
Seamoint: a mountain or hill that forms at the boundary between two tectonic plates
Continental Rise: the area where the ocean floor rises to meet the continental shelf

Coriolis Effect: the apparent deflection of moving objects, such as ocean currents and winds, due to the Earth's rotation
El Nino: a complex weather pattern that occurs when the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean warms up
La Nina: a complex weather pattern that occurs when the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean cools down
Storm Surge: a rise in sea level due to a storm, often causing flooding and damage
Tides: the regular rise and fall of the sea level, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun
Spring Tide: the highest tide, occurs when the moon and sun are aligned
Neap Tide: the lowest tide, occurs when the moon and sun are at right angles
Convection Currents: the movement of fluids, such as water or air, due to differences in temperature and density
Waves: the movement of energy through the ocean, caused by wind or storms
Tsunami: a large, destructive wave caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption