ELSS

Question 1

What is the hydrological cycle?

Answer 1

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Question 2

What are the main processes involved in the hydrological cycle?

Answer 2

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and transpiration.

Question 3

True or False: The hydrological cycle is a closed system.

Answer 3

True.

Question 4

What is evaporation?

Answer 4

The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor.

Question 5

What role does transpiration play in the hydrological cycle?

Answer 5

Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The process of water vapor cooling and changing back into liquid is called __________.

Answer 6

condensation.

Question 7

What is precipitation?

Answer 7

Any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground.

Question 8

What is runoff?

Answer 8

Water that flows over the ground surface and returns to bodies of water.

Question 9

Define infiltration in the context of the hydrological cycle.

Answer 9

The process by which water enters the soil from the surface.

Question 10

What is the significance of groundwater in the hydrological cycle?

Answer 10

Groundwater acts as a major reservoir of fresh water and is crucial for ecosystems and human use.

Question 11

How does climate change affect the hydrological cycle?

Answer 11

Climate change can alter precipitation patterns, increase evaporation rates, and affect water availability.

Question 12

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 12

The process by which carbon is exchanged between the Earth’s atmosphere, land, water, and organisms.

Question 13

True or False: Carbon is only found in the atmosphere.

Answer 13

False.

Question 14

What are the main reservoirs of carbon on Earth?

Answer 14

The atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The process by which plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis is called __________.

Answer 15

carbon fixation.

Question 16

What is the role of decomposition in the carbon cycle?

Answer 16

Decomposition releases carbon stored in organic matter back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Question 17

What is the difference between short-term and long-term carbon cycling?

Answer 17

Short-term cycling involves rapid processes like photosynthesis and respiration, while long-term cycling involves geological processes over millions of years.

Question 18

How do human activities impact the carbon cycle?

Answer 18

Human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Question 19

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 19

The warming of Earth’s surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

Question 20

What are greenhouse gases?

Answer 20

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Question 21

True or False: Water vapor is a significant greenhouse gas.

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

What is the significance of the ocean in the carbon cycle?

Answer 22

The ocean absorbs a large amount of carbon dioxide and plays a key role in regulating atmospheric carbon levels.

Question 23

What are carbon sinks?

Answer 23

Natural systems that absorb more carbon than they release, such as forests and oceans.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: The process of converting carbon dioxide into organic matter through photosynthesis is known as __________.

Answer 24

carbon sequestration.

Question 25

What is the impact of deforestation on the carbon cycle?

Answer 25

Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide, increasing atmospheric carbon levels.

Question 26

What role do wetlands play in the carbon cycle?

Answer 26

Wetlands act as carbon sinks, storing carbon in plant biomass and soil.

Question 27

How does agriculture influence the carbon cycle?

Answer 27

Agriculture can release carbon through soil disturbance and fertilizer use but can also sequester carbon through sustainable practices.

Question 28

What is the relationship between the hydrological cycle and the carbon cycle?

Answer 28

Both cycles are interconnected; water is essential for photosynthesis (carbon cycle) and affects climate patterns (hydrological cycle).

Question 29

What is feedback in the context of Earth’s life support systems?

Answer 29

Feedback refers to processes that can amplify or dampen changes in the system, such as increased temperatures leading to more evaporation.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: The __________ effect describes how increased greenhouse gases can lead to further warming and more water vapor in the atmosphere.

Answer 30

positive feedback.

Question 31

What is the role of soil in the hydrological cycle?

Answer 31

Soil acts as a medium for water infiltration and storage, influencing groundwater recharge.

Question 32

What are the impacts of urbanization on the hydrological cycle?

Answer 32

Urbanization increases runoff, reduces infiltration, and alters natural drainage patterns.

Question 33

True or False: The water table is the upper surface of the zone of saturation.

Answer 33

True.

Question 34

What is the significance of glaciers in the hydrological cycle?

Answer 34

Glaciers store large amounts of freshwater and release it slowly, impacting river flows and ecosystems.

Question 35

What is surface runoff?

Answer 35

Water that flows over the land surface and is not absorbed into the ground.

Question 36

How does land use change affect the hydrological cycle?

Answer 36

Land use changes can alter evaporation rates, precipitation patterns, and water availability.

Question 37

What is the importance of wetlands in water purification?

Answer 37

Wetlands filter pollutants and improve water quality by trapping sediments and absorbing nutrients.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The process of water returning to the atmosphere from the surface of plants is known as __________.

Answer 38

evapotranspiration.

Question 39

What is the role of climate in shaping the hydrological cycle?

Answer 39

Climate influences precipitation patterns, temperature, and evaporation rates, all of which impact the hydrological cycle.

Question 40

What is the impact of climate change on glaciers?

Answer 40

Climate change leads to glacier retreat and melting, contributing to sea level rise and altering freshwater availability.

Question 41

True or False: The carbon cycle is solely dependent on biological processes.

Answer 41

False.

Question 42

What is the role of fossil fuels in the carbon cycle?

Answer 42

Fossil fuels release stored carbon into the atmosphere when burned, increasing atmospheric carbon levels.

Question 43

What is a Drainage Basin?

Answer 43

An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. (Also known as a catchment)

Question 44

What is the Lithosphere?

Answer 44

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. It’s divided into tectonic plates.

Question 45

What is the Biosphere?

Answer 45

The space at the Earth’s surface and within the atmosphere occupied by living organisms.

Question 46

What is the Hydropshere?

Answer 46

All the waters on the earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas

Question 47

What is the Cryosphere?

Answer 47

The frozen part of the Earth’s surface, including the polar ice caps, continental ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost.

Question 48

What is the Atmosphere?

Answer 48

The envelope of gases surrounding the planet

Question 49

What percentage of the Earth’s water is from Oceans?

Answer 49

Around 97%

Question 50

What percentage of the Earth’s water is from Polar Ice and Glaciers?

Answer 50

Around 2%