Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is another name for the water cycle?
What is another name for the water cycle?
- Carbon cycle
- Oxygen cycle
- Nitrogen cycle
- Hydrologic cycle (correct)
Which of the following is a state of matter that water can exist in during the water cycle?
Which of the following is a state of matter that water can exist in during the water cycle?
- Solid ice (correct)
- Plasma
- Dark matter
- Supercritical fluid
What is the term for the collection of all water on or near the Earth's surface?
What is the term for the collection of all water on or near the Earth's surface?
- Hydrosphere (correct)
- Atmosphere
- Biosphere
- Lithosphere
What are the three main parts of the water cycle?
What are the three main parts of the water cycle?
Which process involves liquid water being heated by the sun and turning into water vapor?
Which process involves liquid water being heated by the sun and turning into water vapor?
In the water cycle, what is the process through which gaseous water vapor becomes liquid water?
In the water cycle, what is the process through which gaseous water vapor becomes liquid water?
Which process describes water returning to Earth's surface from the atmosphere?
Which process describes water returning to Earth's surface from the atmosphere?
What is the term for when snow or ice instantaneously changes into water vapor?
What is the term for when snow or ice instantaneously changes into water vapor?
What is the process where water exits plant leaves into the atmosphere called?
What is the process where water exits plant leaves into the atmosphere called?
What term describes the flow of water over the ground, often after a large rain?
What term describes the flow of water over the ground, often after a large rain?
What is the process of water seeping down through the soil into the ground called?
What is the process of water seeping down through the soil into the ground called?
Which of these affects the form of precipitation that falls from the atmosphere?
Which of these affects the form of precipitation that falls from the atmosphere?
What percentage of water on Earth is freshwater?
What percentage of water on Earth is freshwater?
Besides recycling water, what significant role does the water cycle play?
Besides recycling water, what significant role does the water cycle play?
Where is most of the Earth's freshwater stored?
Where is most of the Earth's freshwater stored?
Flashcards
Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle)
Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle)
The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface, changing states between liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor).
Hydrosphere
Hydrosphere
The collective term for all water found on or near the Earth's surface, including liquid, solid, and gaseous forms.
Evaporation
Evaporation
The process where liquid water turns into water vapor (gas) due to heating.
Condensation
Condensation
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Precipitation
Precipitation
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Sublimation
Sublimation
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Transpiration
Transpiration
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Runoff
Runoff
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Infiltration
Infiltration
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Dew Point
Dew Point
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Stomata
Stomata
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Study Notes
- The water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, illustrates water's movement on, above, and below Earth’s surface
- Water continuously changes states (solid, liquid, gas) during the cycle
The Hydrosphere
- The hydrosphere encompasses all water (solid, liquid, gas) at or near the Earth's surface, including:
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Oceans
- Groundwater
- Atmospheric water vapor
- The Earth's water is finite and continuously recycled
Main Parts of the Water Cycle
- There are three main parts of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation and precipitation
Water Cycle Stages
- The water cycle starts with liquid surface water (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans)
- Stages of the water cycle include:
- Evaporation: Liquid water transforms into water vapor due to solar heating
- Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms liquid water
- Precipitation: Water returns to the surface as rain, sleet, snow, or hail
- Sublimation: Ice converts directly into water vapor
- Transpiration: Water evaporates from plant leaves (stomata)
- Runoff: Gravity drives the flow of water over the ground
- Infiltration: Water seeps into the ground
Evaporation
- Common process for water to re-enter the atmosphere from the surface
- Water heats to its boiling point and converts from liquid to gas
- Evaporation examples: steam from boiling water and wet sidewalks drying on hot days
Condensation
- Gaseous water vapor turns into liquid water through:
- Saturation: Air becomes overly saturated with water vapor
- Cooling to the dew point: Water vapor cools to a temperature where it becomes liquid
Precipitation
- Returns water to Earth from the atmosphere in various forms (rain, snow, hail)
- Precipitation results from condensation, water droplets in clouds grow until they precipitate
Other Key Processes
- Sublimation: Solid ice converts directly to water vapor, often in snow
- Transpiration: Water evaporates from plant leaves (stomata)
- Runoff: Precipitation flows over the Earth's surface due to gravity
- Infiltration: Surface water seeps into the ground, replenishing aquifers
Importance of the Water Cycle
- The water cycle recycles water to sustain life
- Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater
- Around 2% of total water is contained in glaciers and ice caps
- Only 1% of water is available for organisms to use
- The water cycle maintains climate, weather patterns, ecosystems, and influences geography
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