Water Cycle Flashcards
Define the Water cycle
The flow of water through Earth’s 4 spheres
What is Transpiration? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When water from the soil is absorbed by a plant’s roots, which then travels to the stem, to the leaves and gets released through the stomata as water vapour (gas).
Spheres Involved:
Hydrosphere - Water absorbed by plants
Biosphere - Plants absorb the water
Lithosphere - The water came from the soil
Atmosphere - Water vapour rises to the air
What is Condensation? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
The cooling of water vapour (gas) in the atmosphere, which condenses into water droplets (liquid) and forms clouds.
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Water vapour cooling into water droplets
Atmosphere - Water vapour is cooled in the atmosphere
What is Precipitation? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
Water drops formed by condensation falling to the Earth. Can fall as rain, snow, hail or sleet (a combination of rain and snow).
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Water drops are formed
Atmosphere - Water vapour cools into water drops
Lithosphere - Water droplets infiltrates into the Earth’s surface
What is Surface Run Off? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
Refers to the movement of water over the land surface. This flow can transport sediment, nutrients and pollutants to other areas.
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Bodies of water running on the surface
Lithosphere - Water flows over the ground, a part of the Lithosphere
Biosphere - Pollutants that flow on the running bodies of water mostly came from organisms
What is Infiltration? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When precipitation falls onto the land and soak into the soil, refilling groundwater resources.
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Precipitation falling into the ground
Lithosphere - Water soaking into the soil and refilling groundwater resources
What is Groundwater Flow? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When groundwater (water that infiltrates through the soil) slowly moves through cracks in the lithosphere that can hold and move water, called aquifers.
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Water penetrating into the soil
Lithosphere - Aquifers are found underground
What is Evaporation? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
The process of liquid water transitioning into water vapour (gas) and rising to the atmosphere due to the sun’s heat
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Water gets evaporated
Atmosphere - Water vapour heads to the atmosphere to form clouds
What is Freezing? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When liquid water transitions into ice (solid), mainly due to freezing temperatures.
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Water turns into ice
Atmosphere - Water originating from the clouds via precipitation
What is Melting? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When ice (solid) transitions into liquid water, mainly due to heat from the sun.
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Transformation of water
Atmosphere - If heat is prolonged, liquid water turns into water vapour (gas) and rises to the atmosphere
What is Sublimation? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When ice (solid) transforms straight into water vapour (gas), skipping the liquid phase (liquid water).
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Transformation of water
Atmosphere - Water vapour rises to the atmosphere
What is Deposition? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
When water vapour (gas) transforms straight into ice (solid), skipping the liquid phase (liquid water).
Spheres involved:
Hydrosphere - Transformation of water
Atmosphere - Water vapour came from the atmosphere
What is Percolation? What Earth’s spheres are involved and how?
The movement of water through soil and rock.
Spheres used:
Hydrosphere - Involves the flow of water
Lithosphere - Water flowing through rock and soil
