Understanding the Water Cycle

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Questions and Answers

What is the main driving force behind evaporation in the water cycle?

  • The gravitational pull of the Earth
  • The sun's heat energy (correct)
  • The cooling of water vapor
  • The force of the wind

Which process involves the change of water vapor into liquid, leading to cloud formation?

  • Collection
  • Evaporation
  • Precipitation
  • Condensation (correct)

In the water cycle, what is the role of plants in the process of transpiration?

  • Preventing water from evaporating
  • Collecting rainwater
  • Absorbing water from the air
  • Releasing water vapor into the atmosphere (correct)

Which of the following describes precipitation?

<p>Water falling back to Earth in various forms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to water after it falls as precipitation on land?

<p>It may soak into the ground or run off into bodies of water. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these best illustrates the process of collection in the water cycle?

<p>Rainwater accumulating in a lake (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does condensation contribute to the water cycle?

<p>By forming clouds from water vapor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does gravity play in the water cycle?

<p>It pulls precipitation back to Earth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which process does water change from a liquid to a gas?

<p>Evaporation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A heavy rainfall has caused a local river to overflow. Which stage of the water cycle is most closely related to this event?

<p>Precipitation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the rate of evaporation increases in an area, what is a likely consequence?

<p>An increase in humidity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following human activities directly interferes with ground water replenishment in the water cycle?

<p>Deforestation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the water cycle essential for sustaining life on Earth?

<p>It ensures the continuous availability of fresh water. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is essentially the reverse of evaporation?

<p>Condensation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a long-term drought affect the water cycle in a particular region?

<p>It would reduce the amount of water available for all stages of the cycle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following weather conditions is a direct result of condensation?

<p>Cloudy skies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the water cycle, what does 'runoff' refer to?

<p>The flow of water over land surfaces into bodies of water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between evaporation and condensation in the water cycle?

<p>Evaporation precedes condensation, and they are interconnected. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the 'collection' stage of the water cycle?

<p>Gathering of water into large bodies. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of increased global temperatures on the water cycle?

<p>More extreme weather events (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of Earth's spheres contains carbon?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

<p>Absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce food (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the carbon when organisms consume plants?

<p>The carbon becomes part of the organism's body. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the decomposition of plants and animals contribute to the carbon cycle?

<p>It returns carbon atoms to the atmosphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle?

<p>They release carbon from dead organisms into the atmosphere and soil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do fossil fuels form, and what role do they play in the carbon cycle?

<p>They form from incompletely decomposed organic matter over millions of years and store carbon. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the majority of Earth's carbon stored?

<p>In the oceans (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes how carbon moves from the atmosphere into plants?

<p>Photosynthesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way carbon is stored in oceans?

<p>As calcium carbonate in the shells of aquatic species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact on the carbon cycle of burning fossil fuels?

<p>It increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?

<p>It reduces the amount of carbon stored in plants, releasing it into the atmosphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes releases carbon back into the atmosphere?

<p>Respiration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

<p>Increased global temperatures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do 'active' and 'inactive' carbon pools differ?

<p>Active pools cycle carbon more rapidly than inactive pools. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Carnivores consume carbon. How is this possible?

<p>They consume herbivores that have eaten plants, thus acquiring carbon. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to carbon substances when aquatic animals die?

<p>They are deposited at the bottom of the ocean (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which human action does not significantly contribute to an increase of carbon in the earth's atmosphere?

<p>Reforestation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is carbon essential for life on Earth?

<p>It forms the backbone of all organic molecules (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between fossil fuels and atmospheric carbon concentrations?

<p>The burning of fossil fuels transfers carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do rocks play in the carbon cycle?

<p>They serve as a long-term storage reservoir for carbon. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is nitrogen considered essential for life?

<p>It is a key component of DNA, RNA, and proteins. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary form of nitrogen found in the atmosphere, which is not directly usable by plants and animals?

<p>Molecular nitrogen ($N_2$) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle?

<p>To convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms like ammonia. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Special bacteria are crucial in converting nitrogen gas into ammonia. Which of the following plants benefits the most from this process?

<p>Peas and beans (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does lightning play in the nitrogen cycle?

<p>It converts atmospheric nitrogen to forms like $N_2O$ or $NO_3$. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do decomposer bacteria contribute to the process of ammonification?

<p>By converting organic nitrogen into ammonia. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the nitrification process?

<p>To convert ammonia into nitrites and nitrates. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bacteria in denitrification?

<p>Converting nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of combustion on the nitrogen cycle?

<p>It releases toxic nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do commercial fertilizers affect the nitrogen cycle?

<p>They release nitrous oxide and introduce excess nitrogen into the environment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is nitrogen often a limiting factor for plant growth in many ecosystems?

<p>Most plants cannot directly use atmospheric nitrogen, and usable forms are limited. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can the discharge of municipal sewage affect aquatic ecosystems?

<p>By introducing excess nitrogen, disrupting the aquatic balance and harming aquatic life. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of farmers applying 'twice as much' commercial fertilizer as they need?

<p>Disrupting the food chain due to excess nitrogen. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen ($N_2$) into ammonia ($NH_3$)?

<p>Nitrogen Fixation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the correct order of processes in the nitrogen cycle that converts organic nitrogen back to atmospheric nitrogen?

<p>Ammonification → Nitrification → Denitrification (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is the water cycle?

The continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere.

What is evaporation?

The process where water turns into vapor or steam.

What is transpiration?

The release of water vapor from plants into the air.

What is condensation?

Water vapor cooling and changing back into liquid.

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What is precipitation?

When the air becomes saturated with water vapor, water falls back to earth.

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What is runoff?

Water flows over the land surface and collects in bodies of water.

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What is carbon?

Carbon is an element that is the basis of life on Earth, present in rocks, oceans, and the atmosphere.

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How do plants use carbon dioxide?

Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into food through photosynthesis.

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How do animals obtain carbon?

Organisms consume plants, incorporating carbon into their bodies.

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What happens to carbon after organisms die?

When plants and animals decompose, carbon atoms are returned to the atmosphere.

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What is the carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle is how carbon moves between the earth and the atmosphere.

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How is carbon stored in oceans?

Carbon is stored in the ocean and is found in the form of calcium carbonate is shells of aquatic species.

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How does burning fossil fuels impact the carbon cycle?

Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, affecting the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming.

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Where does carbon end up underground?

Some carbon gets stored underground. Overtime, oil, coal and other fossil fuels are created.

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Atmospheric Nitrogen

Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.

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Why is Nitrogen important?

Nitrogen is an essential component required for DNA, RNA, and proteins.

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Nitrogen Cycle

The process of converting nitrogen into compounds that plants and animals can use.

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Nitrogen Fixation

The process in which the Nâ‚‚ compound in the atmosphere breaks and combines with other compounds, in order to be used by plants. The nitrogen is 'fixed' when it combines with hydrogen or oxygen.

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What converts Nitrogen?

Special bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N₂) to ammonia (NH₃), which some plants can use (peas, beans).

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Ammonification

After organisms have used organic nitrogen, decomposer bacteria convert the nitrogen to ammonia.

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Nitrification

The process that converts ammonia (NH₃) into nitrites (NO₂) and nitrates (NO₃), which most plants can use.

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Denitrification

Process in which nitrogen compounds convert back into atmospheric nitrogen (Nâ‚‚ or Nâ‚‚O).

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Combustion

Releases toxic nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere.

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Commercial Fertilizers

Releases nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and introduce excess nitrogen into the environment.

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What is the process of Denitrification?

Process performed by bacteria in the soil and from burning fossil fuels.

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Mining Impact

When we mine mineral deposits, we remove nitrogen from the soil.

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Municipal Sewage

Releases excess nitrogen into water ecosystems, which disrupts the aquatic balance and kills fish.

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Nitrogen in plant growth

A limiting factor for plant growth and is the #1 contributer of new nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle.

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Extra nitrogen

Runoff, evaporation, etc.. So farmers apply about twice as much as they need, which disrupts the food chain

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Study Notes

  • Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere
  • Nitrogen in the atmosphere is mostly in the form of Nâ‚‚, which is a compound that plants and animals cannot use
  • The process of converting nitrogen into compounds that can be used by plants and animals is called the Nitrogen Cycle
  • Nitrogen is an essential component of DNA, RNA, and Proteins

The Four Processes of the Nitrogen Cycle

  • Nitrogen travels through one of four processes to become usable by living organisms.
  • The four processes are Nitrogen Fixation, Ammonification, Nitrification, and Denitrification

Process 1: Nitrogen Fixation

  • Nitrogen Fixation is the process in which the Nâ‚‚ compound in the atmosphere breaks and combines with other compounds
  • Nitrogen is "fixed" when it combines with hydrogen or oxygen

Three Ways to "fix" Nitrogen

  • The main process: Special bacteria convert the nitrogen gas (Nâ‚‚) to ammonia (NH3), which only some plants can use (peas, beans)
  • Lightning strikes convert Nâ‚‚ to Nâ‚‚O or NO3
  • Industrial production chemically manipulates Nâ‚‚ into NH3, it is then used as fertilizer

Process 2: Ammonification

  • Ammonification is the process where after all living organisms have used organic nitrogen, decomposer bacteria convert the nitrogen to ammonia.

Process 3: Nitrification

  • Nitrification is the process that converts ammonia (NH3) into nitrites (NOâ‚‚) and nitrates (NO3), which most plants can use
  • Ammonia comes from both nitrogen fixation and ammonification.
  • Bacteria do this conversion.

Process 4: Denitrification

  • Denitrification is the process in which nitrogen compounds convert back into atmospheric nitrogen (Nâ‚‚ or Nâ‚‚O)
  • Bacteria mainly perform the process in the soil
  • Burning fossil fuels can also cause Denitrification

Human Impact

  • Combustion releases toxic nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere.
  • Commercial Fertilizers release nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and introduce excess nitrogen into the environment
  • Mining for nitrogen-rich mineral deposits removes nitrogen from the soil
  • Municipal sewage discharge releases excess nitrogen into water ecosystems, disrupting the aquatic balance and killing fish.

Commercial Fertilizers

  • Commercial Fertilizers are the number one contributor of new nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle
  • Nitrogen is added because it is a limiting factor for plant growth
  • Twice as much fertilizer is applied as is needed because it is hard to apply fertilizer and keep it in one area due to runoff and evaporation
  • Extra nitrogen disrupts the food chain

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