The Water Cycle and Gravity Effects

Water Movement and Forces

• Water movement is affected by external forces, primarily gravity.
• Gravity causes water to move from higher areas to lower areas on Earth.

Effects of Gravity on Water

• Gravity drives precipitation, allowing melting ice crystals and water droplets in clouds to fall to the Earth's surface.
• It influences the flow of liquid water downhill, directing it into streams and rivers that eventually connect to larger bodies of water.
• Glacial movement is facilitated by gravity, causing solid-state water (ice) to flow from high altitudes to lower elevations, where it melts and contributes to surface and groundwater.
• Gravity causes liquid water to seep into the ground, replenishing groundwater reservoirs.
• Groundwater is also affected, flowing from areas of higher elevation to lower elevation due to gravitational pull.

Additional Forces

• Wind acts as another force that influences water movement, impacting processes like evaporation and the distribution of moisture.