Water Cycle Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the water cycle?

The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back.

As water moves through the water cycle, does the total amount of water in Earth's water system change?

False

What does the water cycle describe?

The movement of water as water molecules make their way from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and then back as precipitation.

What powers the water cycle?

Solar energy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 major processes in the water cycle?

Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

What is evaporation?

The process in which water changes from liquid to vapor. Signup and view all the answers

What is condensation?

The process in which water vapor changes to liquid. Signup and view all the answers

What is large droplet formation?

The process where small droplets hit and combine to form larger droplets. Signup and view all the answers

What is precipitation?

When large droplets become heavy enough to fall to Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What are the forms of precipitation?

Rain, sleet, or snow. Signup and view all the answers

What is transpiration?

The process by which plants take in water through their roots and release it through their leaves. Signup and view all the answers

What is runoff?

The surface movement of water across the Earth's surface after rainfall or snow melt. Signup and view all the answers

What is infiltration?

The process where water enters the pore spaces of soil and rock to become groundwater. Signup and view all the answers

What is accumulation?

When water collects in a low elevation area. Signup and view all the answers

What are areas of water accumulation?

Lakes, ponds, and oceans. Signup and view all the answers

What is solar energy?

Energy absorbed by molecules that leads to evaporation and condensation. Signup and view all the answers

What role does gravity play in the water cycle?

Gravity pulls water down into the ground and influences precipitation, runoff, and infiltration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a divide?

The high point in a watershed from which water flows in different directions. Signup and view all the answers

What borders watersheds?

Divides. Signup and view all the answers

What is a watershed?

A land area that delivers water, sediment, and dissolved substances via small streams to a major stream. Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for a watershed?

Drainage basin. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the shape of the watershed?

The elevation of the land. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a watershed also known as a drainage basin?

It is where the water moves off the land. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of pollution that end up in runoff in a watershed?

Non-source pollution and source pollution. Signup and view all the answers

What is non-source pollution?

Pollution that comes from many sources, usually agricultural, all at one time. Signup and view all the answers

What is source pollution?

Pollution that usually comes from one source such as an industry. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water Cycle Overview

The water cycle is a continuous process where water transitions between Earth's surface and the atmosphere.
The total amount of water in Earth's system remains relatively constant.

Water Cycle Processes

Describes the journey of water from the surface to the atmosphere and back via precipitation.
Major processes include evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Evaporation

Water transforms from liquid to gas as it absorbs solar energy.
Water molecules gain energy, increasing movement and escaping into the atmosphere as vapor.

Condensation

Water vapor in the atmosphere cools and loses energy, transitioning back to liquid.
Droplets form as molecules slow down and combine.

Droplet Formation and Precipitation

Small droplets combine to form larger ones, maintained in the air by wind energy.
When droplets are heavy enough, they fall to Earth as precipitation, which includes rain, sleet, snow, or hail.

Transpiration and Runoff

Transpiration is the process by which plants absorb water and release it through leaves.
Runoff refers to surface water movement after precipitation or snowmelt.

Infiltration and Accumulation

Infiltration is the process of water entering soil and rock pores, contributing to groundwater.
Accumulation occurs when water collects in lower elevations such as lakes, ponds, and oceans.

Essential Forces: Solar Energy and Gravity

Solar energy drives evaporation and condensation processes, facilitating the water cycle.
Gravity influences the downward movement of water, causing precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.

Watersheds and Divides

Watershed: land area that drains into a major stream, collecting water, sediment, and dissolved substances.
Divides are ridges that define watershed boundaries, directing water flows in different directions.

Pollution Types in Watersheds

Non-source pollution originates from multiple sources, often related to agriculture.
Source pollution comes from a single identifiable origin, typically an industry.

Importance of Watersheds

Watersheds are also called drainage basins, as they collect runoff and facilitate water drainage from land.
The shape of a watershed is defined by land elevation.

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Description

Explore the essential components of the water cycle with these flashcards. Each card defines key terms and concepts related to this vital process that sustains life on Earth. Perfect for students seeking to solidify their understanding of this crucial environmental cycle.