Hydrosphere and Water Cycle

What is the primary process by which water changes from vapor to liquid during the hydrologic cycle?

Which of the following percentages correctly represents the portion of Earth's water that is categorized as freshwater?

Which freshwater reservoir holds the largest percentage of Earth's freshwater resources?

In the context of the hydrologic cycle, what does the term 'residence time' refer to?

Which process in the hydrologic cycle directly involves the transition of ice to water vapor?

Freshwater Percentage

Hydrosphere

71% of Earth's surface is covered by water.
The hydrosphere is the part of Earth's atmosphere containing water.

Hydrologic Cycle (Water Cycle)

The movement of water on Earth.
Includes reservoirs (places where water stays) and pathways (processes of moving water between systems).

Processes in the Water Cycle

Evaporation: Liquid water turning into water vapor.
Transpiration: Water released from plant leaves into the atmosphere.
Sublimation: Ice turning directly into water vapor.
Condensation: Water vapor turning into liquid or solid water.
Precipitation: Water falling from the atmosphere (rain, snow, etc.).
Infiltration: Water soaking into the ground.

Earth's Water Budget

The total amount of water on Earth.

Water Distribution

Ocean Water: 97.5%
Freshwater: 2.5%
- Glaciers: 68.7%
- Groundwater: 30.1%
- Permafrost: 0.8%
Surface and Atmospheric Water: 0.4% (mostly freshwater lakes).

Residence Time

The amount of time water spends in a particular location.

Explore the fascinating dynamics of the hydrosphere and the hydrologic cycle. This quiz covers key processes including evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation, as well as water distribution on Earth. Test your knowledge about where Earth's water is located and how it moves through the environment.